Hyperfibrinogenemia in patients of diabetes mellitus in relation to glycemic control and urinary albumin excretion rate.

BACKGROUND: Diabetics have higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than general population and hyperfibrinogenemia is one of the important risk factors.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study fibrinogen levels (dry clot weight method) were estimated in 50 diabetic subjects and 10 age, sex and body mass index matched controls and its correlation with various parameters like glycosylated hemoglobin (cation exchange resin method), urinary albumin excretion rate (Esbach's albuminometer), age, hypertension, body mass index (Kg/m2), lipid profile, smoking, duration of diabetes was studied.
RESULTS: Higher plasma fibrinogen levels were found in diabetics (7.30 +/- 5.87 g/l) as compared to controls (4.06 +/- 2.5 g/l) which was statistically significant (p = 0.022). Fibrinogen levels were associated with age (r = 0.873), hypertension (p = 0.032), body mass index (r = 0.898), triglyceride level (r = 0.9396), cholesterol level (r = 0.99), glycosylated hemoglobin (r = 0.99) and urine albumin excretion rate (r = 0.930) in diabetics, in a significant manner. But, no correlation was found with sex (p > 0.05), family history (p = 0.072), duration of diabetes (r = 0.443) and smoking (p = 0.081). In controls positive correlation was found between fibrinogen level and age (r = 0.5), family history (p = 0.04), smoking (p = 0.051), body mass index (r = 0.898) and lipid profile (r > 0.5). Mean albumin excretion rate was significantly (p = 0.002) higher in diabetics (397.42 +/- 956.51 mg/min) and it was found to be associated with age (r > 0.5) and lipid profile (r > 0.5) in both diabetics and controls. No correlation was found between glycemic control and urine albumin excretion rate.
CONCLUSION: Diabetics have higher fibrinogen levels, which is associated with glycemic control and urine albumin excretion rate in a statistically significant manner.