Summary
Plasma and serum viscosity and associated protein titres were determined in short-
and long term types 1 and 2 diabetic Africans. The viscosity of plasma and serum,
fibrinogen, total serum protein and albumin concentrations of both short- and longterm
type 1 diabetics were significantly greater than those of the nondiabetic controls,
although no significant differences in these parameters were recorded between the
two groups of type 1 diabetics. There were no significant differences between short
term type 2 diabetics and the controls in the parameters examined except albumin which
is significantly higher in the former. However, plasma and serum viscosity, fibrinogen,
total serum protein protein and albumin of longterm type 2 diabetics were significantly
elevated above those of the control group. These results show that there is an earlier
presentation of cardiovascular risk factors in type 1 than in type 2 diabetic Africans.
Key words
Types 1 and 2 Diabetics - Plasma (Relative) Viscosity - Fibrinogen - Proteins - Africans