Relationship between carotid atherosclerosis with serum uric acid and fibrinogen in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

AIM:To determine whether uric acid and fibrinogen are independent factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 218 T2DM patients with or without carotid atherosclerosis were examined. Serum uric acid, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and HbA1c levels were determined. Other risk factors including age, T2DM duration, and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were observed. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis of carotid atherosclerosis showed that uric acid and fibrinogen were higher in the group with carotid atherosclerosis. Uric acid together with fibrinogen, age, T2DM duration, blood pressure, creatinine, low-density lipoprotein and UA/Cr was associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM. Multiple regression analysis of uric acid in all groups showed that T2DM duration, creatinine, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and carotid atherosclerosis were independent determinants. Multiple regression analysis of fibrinogen in all groups showed that carotid atherosclerosis was an independent determinant. CONCLUSION: Uric acid and fibrinogen are higher in carotid atherosclerosis patients and are likely risk factors in patients with T2DM with carotid atherosclerosis.