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Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Increased Coagulation Activity in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A
Paul Gabriel Ciubotaru1, Amit Kohli2, Nilima Rajpal Kundnani3,4
1Department V, Internal Medicine I-Discipline of Medical Semiology I, Center of Advanced Research in Cardiology and Hemostasology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Insights
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is linked to higher D-dimer levels, indicating increased coagulation. This suggests a diabetes-associated hypercoagulable AF phenotype, independent of stroke risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
Background:
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF) increases stroke risk due to a prothrombotic state.
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a common comorbidity in AF patients, independently raising thromboembolic risk.
- The impact of T2DM on D-dimer levels in AF patients requires further real-world characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent association between T2DM and plasma D-dimer levels in non-valvular AF patients.
- To analyze D-dimer levels across different CHA2DS2-VASc risk categories in AF patients with and without T2DM.
- To assess the role of T2DM in exacerbating the prothrombotic state in AF.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, observational study of 300 non-valvular AF patients.
- Stratification into two groups: 150 with T2DM and 150 without diabetes.
- Multivariable regression models adjusted for clinical factors, renal function, and anticoagulation status.
Main Results:
- Patients with T2DM had significantly higher D-dimer levels (median 0.94 vs. 0.63 µg/mL FEU, p < 0.001).
- T2DM was independently associated with elevated D-dimer levels and increased odds of exceeding thresholds (0.5 and 1.0 µg/mL FEU).
- Higher D-dimer concentrations in T2DM patients were consistent across all CHA2DS2-VASc risk categories.
Conclusions:
- T2DM is independently associated with increased coagulation activity in AF patients, evidenced by higher D-dimer levels.
- Findings support a distinct 'diabetes-associated hypercoagulable AF phenotype'.
- Coagulation biomarkers like D-dimer may refine risk stratification in AF patients with T2DM.
Abstract:
Background: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is associated with a prothrombotic state and increased risk of ischemic stroke. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cardiometabolic comorbidity in AF and independently increases thromboembolic risk. D-dimer is a well-established biomarker of coagulation activation and fibrin turnover, but the specific contribution of T2DM to D-dimer levels in AF remains insufficiently characterized in real-world cohorts. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, single-center study including 300 adult patients with non-valvular AF evaluated at a tertiary university hospital. Patients were stratified according to the presence of T2DM (150 with T2DM and 150 without diabetes). Plasma D-dimer levels were compared between groups and analyzed across clinically relevant thresholds and CHA2DS2-VASc categories. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the independent association between T2DM and D-dimer levels after adjustment for demographic factors, comorbidities, renal function, prior stroke, CHA2DS2-VASc score components, and oral anticoagulation. Results: Patients with T2DM exhibited significantly higher D-dimer levels than non-diabetic patients (median 0.94 vs. 0.63 µg/mL FEU, p < 0.001). T2DM was independently associated with higher log-transformed D-dimer levels (adjusted β = 0.19, p < 0.001) and with increased odds of elevated D-dimer above both 0.5 µg/mL and 1.0 µg/mL thresholds. Across all CHA2DS2-VASc categories, patients with T2DM consistently showed higher D-dimer concentrations. Findings remained robust in sensitivity analyses restricted to anticoagulated patients. Conclusions: In patients with atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased coagulation activity as reflected by higher D-dimer levels, independent of clinical thromboembolic risk. These results support the concept of a diabetes-associated hypercoagulable AF phenotype and highlight the potential role of coagulation biomarkers in refining risk stratification.
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