Abstract

BACKGROUND
Inflammatory markers are known to be sensitive predictors of atherosclerotic disease such as coronary heart disease. Diabetic patients have higher level of inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) or IL-6. We investigated the association of inflammatory markers with microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We studied cross-sectionally 244 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes without macrovascular disease such as cerebral infarct, coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. The urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was determined in a morning, untimed, urine specimen. Ophthalmoscopic examinations were performed to evaluate diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic neuropathy was examined by 10-g monofilament, Neuropathic Disability Score and Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. RESULTS: 47 patients (23.5%) had diabetic retinopathy, 81 (34.6%) had nephropathy and 132 (54.2%) had neuropathy. Fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were significantly higher in the patients with nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy than in those without (P = 0.009, 0.003 and 0.047; P = 0.011, 0.02 and 0.006 , respectively). There were no differences in the hsCRP and IL-6 level between in patients with microvascular complications and in those without. Inflammatory parameters were correlated with each other. The hsCRP was correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.40, P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (r = 0.45, P < 0.001), but fibrinogen was not significantly correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.13, P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Although IL-6, hsCRP and fibrinogen may be associated with microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes, we show that fibrinogen is a strong marker of microvascular complications.

• Keywords: Fibrinogen;hsCRP;IL-6;Inflammatory makers;Microvascular complications;Type 2 diabetes;