ABSTRACT

Decreases in fibrinolytic activity and thrombocyte activation changes are seen in diabetic patients, which leads to a procoagulant state. In the presence of hyperglycemia, the role of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) on phospholipids from the degraded endothelium and the relation between these antibodies and microvascular and macrovascular complications in a diabetic survey were investigated. In our study, we aimed to determine the relation between carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and serum ACA levels and other routine parameters in type I and type II diabetic patients.

Patients were divided into two groups, as Group I: Type I DM (n=15) and Group II: Type II DM (n=45). Serum levels of ACA IgG were measured by using ELISA (Trinity Biotech, USA). Mann-Whitney U test was used in the statistical analysis.

The groups were similar with respect to the duration of diabetes (p=0.261). There was no significant difference in the ACA levels between the two groups. Spot urine microalbumin levels and CIMT were statistically higher in Group II (p=0.0001, p=0.001, respectively). No correlation was found between ACA and CIMT (p=0.258).

Since the patients were older in the second group and had hypertension and metabolic syndrome, microalbuminuria and CIMT values were higher in this group as expected because of endothelial dysfunction. Large population– based prospective studies are needed to provide stronger evidence about the relation of serum ACA and CIMT in patients with DM.

Keywords: Anticardiolipin antibodies, diabetes mellitus, carotid intima media thickness