[Atherosclerosis: the risk factors].

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

• Vascular disorders are a significant complication in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
• Identifying reliable markers for vascular complications is essential for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between traditional risk factors, specific laboratory values, and the presence of vascular disorders in non-insulin-dependent diabetics.
• To evaluate potential biomarkers for vascular complications in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 196 outpatients, including 112 non-insulin-dependent diabetics, were categorized into subgroups based on vascular disorder status.
• Statistical analyses, including correlation coefficients and chi-square tests, were performed on risk factors (smoking, family history, hypertension, BMI) and laboratory values (cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, HbA1c, factor VIII, PF4, BTG).

Main Results:

• Traditional risk factors and good metabolic control (HbA1c) are confirmed as important for diabetic patients.
• PF4, BTG, and factor VII did not show utility as markers for vascular disorders in this study.
• An increased fibrinogen level was observed in individuals with vascular disorders, especially in non-diabetic subjects.
• A correlation between certain factors and serum triglycerides was noted, particularly in diabetic patients with vascular disorders.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic balance and established risk factors remain paramount in managing non-insulin-dependent diabetes and preventing vascular complications.
• Fibrinogen may serve as a potential indicator for vascular disorders, particularly in non-diabetic individuals.
• Further research is needed to validate PF4, BTG, and factor VII as biomarkers in this context.