[Blood viscosity in diabetes mellitus (evaluation on the basis of high shear rates)].

In 45 diabetic patients (22 men and 23 women) subdivided in relation to type and vascular complications we have evaluated the blood viscosity at high and low shear rates. From the obtained results it is evident that only at low shear rates this hemorheological parameter distinguishes diabetic patients from normal subjects and diabetic patients without vascular complications from those with these complications. This result is present only because these shear rates are dependent on the influence of the erythrocyte aggregation which is altered in the diabetic disease.