Comparison between light reflectometry and viscometry for RBC aggregation assessment in diabetes

The aim of this study is to compare 3 methods allowing to assess R.B.C. Aggregation: steady viscometry, unsteady viscometry ana light reflectometry. This comparison was performed on blood samples drawn from forty insulino-dependent diabetics.

We found strong correlations between the parameters measured by the three techniques. These correlations are most likely explained by the existence of a common underlying parameter influencing the three types of measurements: the adhesive energy per unit area. Moreover, we attempted to know whether the measured viscometric or light reflectometric parameters are good diagnosis (or prognosis) instruments. For that we compared the number of diabetics having an abnormal value of the different aggregometric parameters.

The thixotropy index, measured by unsteady viscometry, and the disagregation shear stress reached by light reflectometry detected the largest number of pathological cases. The steady viscometric data were then discussed with regard to the conditions of appearance of a plasma layer near the viscometer walls.