Platelet Aggregability in Type 2 Diabetics

Lee, Chang Hun; Cheon, Nam Il; Lee, Yeon Sang; Cho, Dong Hyeok; Shin, Hyun Ho; Kim, Jung Min; Lee, Dae Ho; Chung, Dong Jin; Chung, Min Young; Lee, Tai Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Increased platelet aggregability is known to be one of the important risk factors for diabetic vascular complications. The relationship between platelet aggregability and diabetic macrovascular complications, varying severity of diabetic microvascular complications and other possible factors was evaluated in Korean adults.
METHODS
Platelet aggregability was measured with platelet rich plasma by addition of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in 45 cases. Normal control group (n=15) was compared with diabetics without macrovascular complications (n=15), diabetics with macrovascular complications (n=15) and several groups divided accoring to the severity of microvascular complications.
RESULTS
1) The mean maximum value of platelet aggregation was 70.3+/-5.3% in control group, and 80.0+/-7.3% in diabetics (p<0.005). 2) The mean maximum value of platelet aggregation was 78.0+/-5.5% in diabetics without macrovascular complications and 83.5+/-7.1% in diabetics with macrovascular complications (p=0.093). 3) The mean maximum value of platelet aggregation was 77.0+/-5.1% in normoproteinuria group, 78.1+/-7.3% in microproteinuria group, and 82.9+/-6.2% in overt proteinuria group (p=0.083). 4) The mean maximum value of platelet aggregation was 77.2+/-6.8% in diabetes without neuropathy group and 82.9+/-6.2% in diabetes with neuropathy group (p=0.114). 5) The mean maximum value of platelet aggregation was 79.3+/-4.9% in diabetes with normal funduscopic findings, 80.2+/-7.3% in diabetes with background retinopathy and 81.6+/-7.9% in diabetes with proliferative retinopathy (p=0.852). 6) Blood glucose showed positive correlations with the mean maximum platelet aggregation ( =0.529, p<0.005).
CONCLUSION
The elevated mean maximum value of platelet aggregation was found in diabetics and there were no significant differences between macrovascular complications and between varying severity of retinopathy, neuropathy and proteinuria. Blood glucose showed positive correlations with mean maximum platelet aggregation. Hyperglycemia was a major risk factor affecting platelet aggregation in diabetics and its control may play an important role in prevention of diabetic vascular complications.