Table 3 Erythrocyte deformability – elongation index (EI) at different shear stress rates at baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment in both treatment groups

0.65 ± 0.68

0.86 ± 0.45

0.93 ± 0.80

0.87 ± 0.63

1.65 ± 1.40 *

1.54 ± 0.91 *

2.66 ± 1.14

2.55 ± 1.24

2.37 ± 1.37

2.65 ± 1.34

3.76 ± 2.13

3.67 ± 1.73 *

8.53 ± 2.25

8.80 ± 2.00

7.96 ± 2.38

8.79 ± 2.29

10.11 ± 2.66 *

10.24 ± 2.90 *

20.89 ± 3.60

21.71 ± 3.24

20.09 ± 3.68

21.53 ± 3.28

24.13 ± 3.74 *

23.95 ± 3.14 *

30.50 ± 3.95

31.33 ± 3.45

29.81 ± 4.17

31.15 ± 3.25

33.80 ± 4.13 *

33.20 ± 3.32 *

38.62 ± 4.01

39.36 ± 3.34

37.95 ± 4.33

39.28 ± 3.02

41.37 ± 4.12 *

40.59 ± 3.33 *

46.43 ± 3.86

47.07 ± 3.38

45.94 ± 4.47

47.14 ± 2.82

48.80 ± 4.13 *

47.71 ± 3.59

50.12 ± 3.86

50.75 ± 3.48

49.70 ± 4.36

50.89 ± 2.97

52.69 ± 4.25 *

51.32 ± 4.05