Coagulation profile in diabetes and its association with diabetic microvascular complications

To investigate the haemostatic parameters and to assesss their relationship with microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were measured in 60 type 2 diabetic patients (M:F 1:1) with (n=40) and without (n=20) diabetic microvascular complications and in 30 nondiabetic healthy subjects (M:F 1:1).

The mean age of diabetic patients and healthy controls was 56.9 +/- 8.78 and 53.2 +/- 7.58 respectively (p = 0.05). The plasma levels of PAI-1 (22.6 +/- 6.85 vs 44.8 +/- 20.8, p = 0.00), serum fibrinogen (227.5 +/- 22.8 vs. 252.75 +/- 40.23, p = 0.002) and vWF activity (99.4 +/- 28.18 vs. 144.78 +/- 36.21, p = 0.00) were found to be increased in diabetics compared to healthy controls. Plasma PAI-1 levels (37.15 +/- 15.18 vs 48.65 +/- 22.29, p = 0.0) and vWF activity (123.19 +/- 29.63 vs. 155.57 +/- 34.61, p = 0.007) were significantly increased in diabetic patients with microvascular complications than those without microvascular complications.Amongst the diabetic patients, protein S activity (63.05 +/- 16.85 vs. 51.59 +/- 10.7, p = 0.002) was significantly lower in patients with microvascular complications than in patients without these complications. Diabetic retinopathy was associated with decreased protein S levels (63.05 +/- 16.85 vs. 48.48 +/- 8.72, p = 0.005) and vWF activity (123.19 +/- 29.63 vs. 151.85 +/- 29.74, p = 0.009). Diabetic nephropathy was associated with increased PAI-1 levels (39.55 +/- 13.20 vs. 51.69 +/- 26.53, p = 0.02) and vWF activity (134.99 +/- 32.54 vs. 157.57 +/- 37.37, p = 0.007). Diabetic neuropathy did not show any significant relationship with any of the haemostatic variables.

Hypercoagulable state as indicated by decreased fibrinolysis and increased coagulability is responsible as one of the factors for the development of microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus.