To compare plasma fibrinogen levels across groups of subjects with and without NIDDM with respect to diabetes therapy and to evaluate the influence of metabolic control and other selected factors.
In a cross-sectional study, plasma fibrinogen was measured in 2,971 elderly subjects aged 55 years and older (mean age 70.8 years). This was part of the baseline examination of the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study of chronic diseases in the elderly.
Plasma fibrinogen levels did not differ among subjects with and without NIDDM (2.84 vs. 2.81 g/l, P = 0.5). After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio, the plasma fibrinogen levels were higher in subjects receiving insulin therapy. In those without diabetes (n = 2,640), with diabetes but not taking antidiabetes medication (n = 196), taking oral medication (n = 99), and taking insulin (n = 36), the age- and sex-adjusted fibrinogen levels were 2.82 (SE 0.01), 2.79 (0.05), 2.79 (0.07), and 3.23 (0.11) g/l, respectively (P < 0.005). Adjustment for leukocyte count or serum creatinine level did not affect the observed association, while adjustment for fructosamine decreased the differences.
Plasma fibrinogen levels are elevated in insulin-treated NIDDM patients, which may reflect worse metabolic control in this subgroup.
