Significance of glycated fibrinogen measurements in diabetes mellitus

Glycated fibrinogen (GP) and glycated hemoglobin of both types (HbA1c) were measured in 146 diabetics aged 16-66 years with disease duration of 2 weeks to 35 years. Sixty-six of these patients suffered from insulin-dependent and 80 from non-insulin-dependent disease. Control group consisted of normal subjects (33 male and 32 female) aged 2-67 years. GP was found to be an indicator of glycaemia level during 3-4 days before measurements (r = 0.6, p < 0.005). GP level in the patients is essentially higher than in normal controls (p < 0.001). GP level reflects the degree of carbohydrate metabolism compensation and is in good correlation with the content of HbA1c (r = -0.9). In contrast to HbA1c, measurements of GP can be used for express control of carbohydrate metabolism in diabetics after starting a new protocol of insulin therapy or other treatment.