Plasma Fibrinogen Levels and Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Correlative Study

Abstract

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a prominent complication in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and has a major  influence on morbidity. Emerging evidence suggests that elevated plasma fibrinogen (FIB) levels, which are indicative of inflammation  and coagulation, may be linked to various diabetic complications. Nevertheless, there hasn't been much research done on the connection  between PN and plasma fibrinogen levels in T2DM.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between  plasma fibrinogen levels and the presence of PN in patients with T2DM.

Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study that included 120  patients diagnosed with T2DM. They were divided into 2 equal groups: Group I contained 60 patients with diabetic peripheral  neuropathy (DPN) and group II that involved 60 patients without DPN.

Results: The study revealed a significant increase in serum  fibrinogen levels in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Those with diabetic neuropathy had a mean fibrinogen level of 11.585 ± 4.256,  compared to 1.798 ± 0.566 in patients without neuropathy (p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, the study indicated that plasma fibrinogen  levels were significantly higher in patients with severe diabetic neuropathy, with a mean of 14.813 ± 3.713, followed by those with  moderate neuropathy (mean 10.315 ± 2.562), and the lowest levels were observed in patients with mild neuropathy (mean 8.331 ± 3.558), with a p-value of 0.001.

Conclusion: Increased plasma fibrinogen levels are substantially related with DPN in patients with T2DM. These  results indicate that plasma fibrinogen could potentially act as a biomarker for identifying T2DM patients who are at increased risk of  developing PN.