Plasma fibrinogen in NIDDM: the Rotterdam study

To compare plasma fibrinogen levels across groups of subjects with and without NIDDM with respect to diabetes therapy and to evaluate the influence of metabolic control and other selected factors.

In a cross-sectional study, plasma fibrinogen was measured in 2,971 elderly subjects aged 55 years and older (mean age 70.8 years). This was part of the baseline examination of the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study of chronic diseases in the elderly.

Plasma fibrinogen levels did not differ among subjects with and without NIDDM (2.84 vs. 2.81 milligrams, P = 0.5). After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio, the plasma fibrinogen levels were higher in subjects receiving insulin therapy. In those without diabetes (n = 2,640), with diabetes but not taking antidiabetes medication (n = 196), taking oral medication (n = 99), and taking insulin (n = 36), the age- and sex-adjusted fibrinogen levels were 2.82 (SE 0.01), 2.79 (0.05), 2.79 (0.07), and 3.23 (0.11) milligrams, respectively (P < 0.005). Adjustment for leukocyte count or serum creatinine level did not affect the observed association, while adjustment for fructosamine decreased the differences.

Plasma fibrinogen levels are elevated in insulin-treated NIDDM patients, which may reflect worse metabolic control in this subgroup.