Association of plasma fibrinogen and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Impaired fibrinolysis and low-grade systemic inflammation are postulated to be associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with its micro and macrovascular complications. However, this mechanism is complex and poorly understood. Materials and Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma fibrinogen, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipid parameters were measured among eighty, nonobese, adult type 2 diabetic males (age: 40–65 years) (without complications [ n = 40, Group 2], with retinopathy [ n = 16, Group 3], with hypertension [ n = 24, Group 4]), and compared with age- and gender-matched healthy controls ( n = 40, Group 1). Results: The mean age of subjects in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 51 ± 7.2, 49 ± 5.3, 51.5 ± 7.2, and 49.3 ± 5.3 years, respectively ( P = 0.33). Fibrinogen, FPG, and hs-CRP were significantly higher among diabetics than controls ( P P = 0.01) among diabetics with complications than without complications, though the results were similar between retinopathy group (Group 3) and hypertension group (Group 4) (462.3 ± 63.9 vs. 459.1 ± 53.3 mg/dl, respectively, P > 0.05). Significant positive correlation was noted between fibrinogen and hs-CRP among Group 2 ( r = 0.37, P = 0.02), Group 3 ( r = 0.67, P = 0.005), and Group 4 ( r = 0.74, P = 0.000). On linear regression analysis, the association between fibrinogen and hs-CRP was found to be significant among all diabetic subgroups. Association of fibrinogen with lipid parameters was inconsistent in all subgroups. Conclusion: Fibrinogen may be considered as an inflammatory biomarker in T2DM, and fibrinogen-lowering agents may be useful in lowering the morbidity and mortality.