The Study of Relationship between Plasma Fibrinogen Level and the Macrovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients in a Tertiary Health Care Centre in Eastern India
Authors: Kamath Sangita D 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The macrovascular complications in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are an expression of the generalized atherosclerotic process affecting the blood vessels of the body. Studies have revealed cardinal role of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis. Literature review suggests that the level of plasma fibrinogen, an inflammatory marker, is elevated in T2DM and more so in those with the macrovascular complications. Therefore, this study was taken up with the aim to determine the association of plasma fibrinogen level with the macrovascular complications in patients of T2DM.

Methods and aterials: This was a prospective observational study undertaken in Tata Main Hospital from November 2020 to October 2022. It included T2DM out-patients and those admitted in the Department of Medicine between the age group of 40 to 80 years. Patient’s clinical history and detailed physical examination were noted. Relevant blood tests (including HbA1c, lipid profile) and plasma fibrinogen levels were done. All patients were evaluated for complications of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease using appropriate investigations. The statistical association was determined by chi -square (χ2) and independent sample t-tests where appropriate. The relationship between plasma fibrinogen level and the macrovascular complications was determined using binary logistic regression.

Results: The study involved 180 patients. Their mean age was 58.63 ± 7.177 years with most patients in 51-60 years age group. Male preponderance was seen and the male to female ratio was 1.86:1. While the average duration of T2DM in the study population was 6.744 ± 2.376 years, mean HbA1c level was 8.2 ± 1.9% (range: 6.2% to 9.8%). The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 24.57 ± 2.49 Kg/m2, with 61.67 % of cases having BMI of 25-29.9. The mean fibrinogen level in patients was 446.50 ± 28.449 mg/dl (ranged: 358.3 mg/dl to 513.0 mg/d). Diabetics without complications had mean fibrinogen level of 443.3 ± 28.3 mg/dl while those with complications had level of 469.6 ± 16.8 mg/dl (P = 0.000). 43 (23.9%) patients had macrovascular complications. Peripheral vascular disease was observed in 31(17.2%), cerebrovascular disease in 16 (8.9%) and CAD in 20 (11.1%) patients while hypertension was observed in 68 (37.8%) patients. Fibrinogen level showed a positive relation with age (R- 0.541, P <0.001), male gender, BMI (R- 0.515, P=0.0001), total cholesterol levels more than 200 mg/dl (R-0.365, P = 0.0001) and HbA1c (R-0.355 with P = 0.0001). Binomial logistic regression demonstrated significant association between plasma fibrinogen level with macrovascular complications of diabetes (Wald test: 7.482, odds ratio-1.062, P<0.01). Furthermore, the association was found to be independent after adjusting for the confounding factors.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that plasma fibrinogen level may be viewed as an independent risk factor for the development of macrovascular complications in T2DM patients. Hence, in these patients, it can be used as a marker for the prediction of the macrovascular complications.