Blood viscosity at different stages of diabetes pathogenesis

Hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress is implicated as a cause of increased whole blood viscosity (WBV), which is a clinically modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, whether or not there is variation in WBV at different stages of diabetes mellitus (DM) has yet to be confirmed. The sensitivity of underlying oxidative stress has also yet to be investigated. A total of 154 participants representing different stages of DM pathogenesis were selected for the study. Healthy control, prediabetes, DM and DM+CVD groups were compared for variation in WBV levels. The prevalence of oxidative stress, indicated by abnormal levels of erythrocyte glutathione, malondialdehyde and methaemoglobin, associated with high WBV was evaluated. The results showed a statistically significant difference in WBV between groups (P