Diabetes mellitus and fibrinogen. Hemorrheological and microcirculatory consequences.

Fibrinogen level, erythrocyte aggregation and transcutaneous oxygen pressur e (TcPO2) were measured in the two populations of 32 healthy volunteer subj ects and 119 diabetic patients without any clinical sign of micro and/or ma croangiopathy. Measured parameters were studied according to both the long term glycemic control (HbA1C) and the type of diabetes. Results showed a si gnificant elevation of plasma fibrinogen in all diabetic patients even when they had good glycemic control. Hyperfibrinogenemia appeared to be related to both long term glycemic control and type of diabetes. Hyperfibrinogenem ia in studied diabetic patients was associated with a tendency to erythrocy te hyperaggregation. Indeed, this hyperaggregation like fibrinogen level, s eem to be related to both HbA1C level and the type of diabetes. In contrast : the TcPO2 was found to be significantly decreased in all patients irrespe ctive to either HbA1C or the type of diabetes. Besides, TcPO2 was not corre lated with fibrinogen nor erythrocyte aggregation. In conclusion, the decre ase in TcPO2 as observed here, does not directly depend upon the type of di abetes. or the HbA1C level, i.e the quality of mid and/or long term glycemi c control.