RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The osmotic effects of hyperglycaemia and glycosylation of haemoglobin and erythrocyte membrane proteins may play important role in the deformability of RBC in the diabetic state. These effects may be exaggerated in poorly controlled diabetes. The study aimed to determine the fasting blood sugar levels (FBS), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and osmotic fragility of red cells (MCF) in diabetics and non-diabetics. METHODS: Fasting blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin and red cell osmotic fragility were determined in seventy-two diabetic subjects aged between 35-70 years and thirty age matched non-diabetic subjects in Calabar, Nigeria using colorimetric methods. RESULTS: The FBS, HbA1c and MCF were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in diabetics than in non-diabetic subjects. The MCF of diabetics with FBS levels > 7.00mmol/l was significantly higher than those with FBS levels < 7.00mmol/l. No significant difference was observed in the MCF between diabetics with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > 8.0%) and those with good glycaemic control (HbA1c < 8.0%). The MCF of patients who has been suffering from diabetes for less than five years were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those who have had the disease for more than five years. A positive correlation (p < 0.003, r = 0.340) was observed between the FBS and HbA1c in diabetic subjects. No significant association was seen between the MCF and HbA1c of diabetic subjects of the study. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycaemia alters the membrane properties of the red cells leading to increase osmotic fragility of the red cells.
