Hemostatic variables in Arab diabetics

Blood coagulation studies showed that patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) had significantly higher fibrinogen, FVIII:C, ristocetin co-factor, FV, FIX, lower ATIII, and PCV than those with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Diabetics with IDDM had a significantly higher ATIII, ristocetin co-factor, lower plasminogen and alpa-2-antiplasmin, and more enhanced platelet aggregation responses to ristocetin than age-matched controls. Patients with NIDDM as compared with controls, exhibited higher levels of fibrinogen, ristocetin co-factor, FVIII:C, FIX, and platelet count, but lower plasminogen, alpha-2-antiplasmin and PCV, reduced platelet aggragability to collage, ADP, and ristocetin. Diabetics with retinopathy and nephropathy had still higher levels of fibrinogen, FVIII:C, ATIII and ristocetin co-factor than those without complications. These results are in accord with many similar studies in Caucasians. It is concluded that the pattern of the changes in hemostatic variables noted in Saudi diabetic do not confirm the existence of racial and/or geographical variations in the hemostatic changes associated with diabetes mellitus.