A significant association between the RBC-Hg and prevalence of type 2 diabetes was observed [odds ratio (OR): 1.64; 95% confidence intervals: 1.14-2.35] after potential confounders were well considered, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, total cholesterol, saltwater fish consumption, geographical strata, seasonality and hemoglobin (Hb) level.
BACKGROUNDAlthough it is considered that the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is primarily due to chronic hyperglycemia resulting in vascular changes and retinal ischemia, the red blood cells (RBCs) disorders might also represent an important pathophysiological risk factor.OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether the RBC properties contribute to DR development and progression in T2DM.METHODSThis prospective observational study comprised 247 persons with T2DMfree of DR or with non proliferative DR without any signs of anaemia.
Recent observations by our group in NIDDM suggest that glucose transport in RBC may be related to D protein, thus we propose an interpretation of the present observation in terms of transport function.