VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2 AND CORRELATION WITH ELEVATED HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS AS A RISK FACTOR

Abstract

Background Elevated homocysteine levels (tHcy), oxidative stress and prolonged hyperglycemia are considered as potential factors for vascular endothelial damage. Correlation between elevated plasma homocysteine and microvascular or macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus patients, and its possible role as an early predictor for endothelial imparement, is a scientific challenge up to date.Methods diabetes mellitus type 2 more than 12 months, glycosylated haemoglobin HbA1c ≥ 7,5%, BMI ≤ 40 kg/m2 and prescribed oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) and / or insulin therapy, divided into two groups: 50 patients diagnosed with vascular complications and 30 patients without vascular complications. Complete haemogram, glycemic profile. HbA1c, lipid prorenal function tests, plasma tHcy levels, ultrasound, doppler sonography, blood preasure measurements, oftalmoscopy and urine test for microalbuminuria were performed in each patient. ResultsElevated levels of homocysteine within 16,05 ± 0,83 μmol/l were detected in the group of diabetic subjects with microvascular and macrovascular complications compared to the group where no complications were diagnosed and levels of homocysteine were 10,44 ± 0,24 μmol/l. Elevated homocisteine levels represent an additional risk factor for endothelial imparement in patients with diabetes Conclusion mellitus type 2. However, further research would provide clear evidence of the impact on endothelial vascular damage and long-term vascular complications