Laboratory Parameters of Hemostasis, Adhesion Molecules, and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Correlation with Glycemic Control

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by a prothrombotic state, predisposing to vascular complications. Some related markers, linking thrombophilia to hemostasis and inflammation, however, have been poorly explored in relation to patients' glycemia. We therefore investigated the association of laboratory hemostatic parameters, circulating adhesion molecules (ADMs), white blood cell (WBC) count, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with T2DM and glycemic control.

Research Design: In this study, 82 subjects, grouped into T2DM patients ( = 41) and healthy individuals ( = 41) were enrolled. To evaluate glycemic control, the T2DM cohort was expanded to 133 patients and sub-classified according to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% and ≥ 7% ( = 58 and = 75, respectively). We assessed glycemia, HbA1c, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), platelet and leukocyte parameters, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and selectins (E-, P-, L-).

Results: PT % activity, PAI-1, VCAM-1, WBC, and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in healthy subjects. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%) was correlated with increased PT activity ( = 0.015), and higher levels of E-selectin ( = 0.009), P-selectin ( = 0.012), and NLR ( = 0.019).

Conclusions: Both T2DM and poor glycemic control affect some parameters of hemostasis, inflammation, and adhesion molecules. Further studies are needed to establish their clinical utility as adjuvant markers for cardio-vascular risk in T2DM patients.