Diabetes mellitus is associated with shortened activated partial thromboplastin time and increased fibrinogen values

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to examine the relationship between shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and increased fibrinogen values with diabetes mellitus. Methods: APTT, prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured in 1,300 patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to their HbA1c and FPG levels. Results: When participants were grouped according to their HbA1c levels, we found significantly shorter APTT values (26.9±5.6 s) and increased fibrinogen levels (3.1, 1.9-6.3 g/L) in the diabetes group when compared with the other two groups. When participants were grouped according to their FPG levels, we found significantly shorter APTT values (26.9±6.2 s) and increased fibrinogen levels (3.1, 1.8-6.2 g/L) in the diabetes group when compared with the euglycemic group. Conclusions: Shorter APTT and increased fibrinogen levels might be useful hemostatic markers in patients with diabetes and in patients at high risk for diabetes. © 2011 Zhao et al.