Influence of fibrinogen and C-RP on progression of peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetes: a preliminary report

Background: Limited studies have suggested that inflammatory biomarkers play a role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. This study assesses the effect of inflammatory biomarkers: fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (C-RP) on the progression of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. Methods: Sixty two patients with T2D and PAD (mean age 60.28±27 years and diabetes duration of 8.58±6.17 years) were enrolled in a cohort prospective study of 36 months. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured in all patients at baseline and after 36 months. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictivity of variables for fibrinogen, C-RP, plasma lipid fractions, fasting plasma glucose, Body Mass Index (BMI), duration of diabetes status and the age on changes in ABI value. Results: Linear regression analysis defined F as a predictor for endpoint value of ABI (β=0.469, p =0.007). Value of C-RP determinates change of minimal value of ABI (β=0.449, p =0.037) and change of mean ABI per year (β=0.442, p =0.025). Conclusion: Our data indicate that plasma determination of fibrinogen and C-RP might have a clinical implication in defining the process of progression of PAD in T2D population.