The clustering of cardiovascular and haemostatic risk factors in newly diagnosed type II diabetes

Background. In diabetic patients, the clustering of coronary risk factors has been well-recognized. Early detection and modification can reduce overall mortality. In addition to reviewing the conventional risk factors, this study investigated whether other important risk factors exist for ethnic Chinese type 2 diabetic patients. Methods and Results. This study included 2,653 middle-aged ethnic Chinese (male 1129, female 1524) recruited from two geographically different communities. Among these subjects, 115 presented with the newly-diagnosed type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus (male, 51; female, 64). Biochemical data and apolipoprotein A and B were gathered, and hematological studies of coagulation factors were also performed. Hypertension already existed at a higher incidence in these diabetic patients. Statistically significant elevation of fibrinogen, fasting insulin, triglyceride and obesity were noted in both sexes. Hematological study demonstrated significant reduction of activated partial thromboplastin time and elevation of factor VIIIc in both sexes, whereas the female diabetic patients also exhibited a significant elevation of both factor VIIc and plasminogen. Conclusion. In addition to the conventional coronary risk factors, type 2 diabetic patients also manifested thrombophilia which constitutes an additional risk for cardiovascular mortality. Female diabetic patients appeared to be at higher risk than males.