The study of RBC deformability in NIDDM patients and its clinical implications

The maximum deformation indexes (DI)_max and integration defromation index (IDI) of RBC in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were measured with Ektacytometry. Comparing with controls, (DI)_max and 101 for NIDDM patients change with duration of NIDDM. No difference of (DI)_max between less than 3 year-term NIDDM patients without complications and the controls was found but significant difference of IDI in this subgroup of patients was present. (DI)_max, IDI in greater than 3 year-term NIDDM patients decreased with the duration of NlDDM when compared with the controls. Moreover, (DI)_max and IDI were related with complications. These facts suggest that the duration or patient's condition in NIDDM patients might be judged by means of deformation indexes.