Hematologic changes in type 2 diabetic patients with various localizations of peripheral vascular disease

Some hematologic parameters have been measured in 80 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients were divided into three groups: (a) proximal (pelvic and femoral) lower limb macroangiopathy; (b) distal (tibial) macroangiopathy; and (c) control group of diabetics without lower limb macroangiopathy. Mean hemoglobin, hematocrit and fibrinogen values were significantly higher in both the proximal and distal macroangiopathy groups in comparison with the controls. On the other hand, mean leucocyte and platelet counts were significantly elevated only in the proximal macroangiopathy group. Significant correlations were observed in univariate and multivariate analyses between blood fibrinogen concentration and pressure indices expressing severity of lower limb macroangiopathy (ankle/thigh, ankle/arm). In summary, increased levels of hematologic parameters contributing to the increase of whole blood viscosity were observed in Type 2 diabetics with arteriosclerosis obliterans. The observed relationship between fibrinogen concentration and severity of arteriosclerosis obliterans could be an evidence in favor for fibrinogen lowering therapy in this pathologic condition.