DIABETIC CHEIROPATHY - COLLAGEN PARAMETER S AS MARKER SUBSTANCES FOR THIS LATE COMPLICATION

The aim of this study was to determine the collagen parameters PICP PI IIP laminin P 1 and the NCl-fragment in order to see whether a marker substance could be found that would be characteristic for cheiropathy. Furthermore, the relationship between cheiropathy and the late compli cations of diabetes mellitus was to be elucidated. 86 type I and type II diabetics were investigated. 30-40% of them had clinical signs of c heiropathy, which in 95% of these patients was always associated with at least one further late complication (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephr opathy). 48% of all patients and 60% of those with a pronounced late s yndrome exhibited elevated values of at least one of the collagen para meters. The microvascular lesions can thus be monitored by determining these basement membrane values. However, none of these collagen value s can serve as a sole specific marker for cheiropathy.