Increased levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen influence the risk of vascular events in patients with NIDDM.

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate the predictive role of hs-CRP and fibrinogen for cardio- and cerebrovascular events in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS:

We studied 156 patients with type 2 diabetes, mean age 66+10 years, and 156 sex and age matched control subjects. Patients underwent physical examination, EKG, measurement of body mass index and blood pressure. A blood sample was drawn to evaluate glycaemia, total and HDL/LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen. Finally, patients underwent an ecocolordoppler examination of the common carotid arteries until the bifurcation. In a follow-up of 5+/-1.2 years we evaluated the following events: transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, stable or unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, critical limb ischemia and cardiovascular death.

RESULTS:

During the follow-up the prevalence of fatal (p<0.05) and non fatal events (p<0.0001) was higher in patients with diabetes in comparison with controls. The variables independently associated with non fatal events were: fibrinogen (p<0.0001), presence of asymptomatic carotid lesion (p<0.005), obesity (p<0.05) and plasma levels of hs-CRP (p<0.05), while fibrinogen (p<0.001) and age were (p<0.05) independently associated with fatal events.

CONCLUSION:

Our data show that in patients with diabetes mellitus, that in the follow-up the presence of high plasma levels of hs-CRP and fibrinogen are predictive for fatal or non fatal events.

• Authors: Giuseppe Coppola, Egle Corrado, Ida Muratori, Rosalba Tantillo, Giustina Vitale, L Lo Coco, Salvatore Novo
• Journal: International journal of cardiology (Int J Cardiol) Vol. 106 Issue 1 Pg. 16-20 (Jan 04 2006) ISSN: 0167-5273 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16321660 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fibrinogen
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Aged
• C-Reactive Protein (metabolism)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (blood, epidemiology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cerebrovascular Disorders (epidemiology, etiology)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (blood)
• Female
• Fibrinogen (metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors