Type 2 diabetics with higher plasma viscosity exhibit a higher blood pressure

Among hemorheologic parameters, plasma viscosity is one of the most studied in epidemiology, so that it has emerged as an independent risk factor. In diabetes, plasma viscosity is frequently elevated. For this reason we tried to define characteristics of non-insulin dependent diabetics with high plasma viscosity (> 1.45 mPa.s) and whether they were more insulin resistant and/or exhibited other hemorheologic disturbances. 12 subjects (age 56.1 +/- 11.7; BMI 28.6 +/- 4.8) were thus found to have a value of plasma viscosity >1.45 mPa.s. They were compared to 20 age and BMI-matched NIDDMs. Patients have similar insulin sensitivity, HbA1c, and fibrinogen. RBC aggregation, rigidity and hematocrit were not significantly different. Whole blood viscosity at high shear rate was slightly higher (p = 0.05). When corrected for hematocrit whole blood viscosity is no longer different. However, hematocrit was not lower in subjects with hpI > 1.45. By contrast blood pressure was markedly higher (systolic: 177.5 +/- 2.5 mmHg vs 140 +/- 8 mmHg, P < 10(-8); diastolic 110 +/- 14 vs 83 +/- 9 mmHg, p < 10(-9); mean 132 +/- mHg vs 102 +/- Hg p < 10(-9)). Therefore, in NIDDM, higher plasma viscosity, regardless insulin resistance and adiposity, is strongly related to blood pressure.