PURPOSE: Hyperhomocysteinemia and hs-CRP are non-classical risk factors independently associated to the development of cardiovascular disease. The increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) can be in part explained by the classical risk factors like hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity. There is no sufficient data about the importance of homocysteine (Hcy) and hs-CRP levels in DMT2 patients without CHD in predicting the macroangiopathic complications. The aim of this study was to determine the association between plasma homocysteine and hs-CRP concentrations in DMT2 patients with and without CHD.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Endocrinology at St. Marina University Hospital of Varna were divided into three groups: group one, 20 DMT2 patients without any evidence of CHD; group two, 20 DMT2 patients with history of CHD and group three, 10 healthy controls matched to these groups in terms of age and classical risk factors for CHD.
RESULTS: Serum hs-CRP concentrations were significantly higher in DMT2 patients than in healthy controls as well as in DMT2 patients with CHD than in CHD-free DMT2 ones. Serum Hcy concentrations were significantly higher in DMT2 patient with CHD than in controls. Both markers were elevated in group two presenting with the highest risk for CHD.
Scripta Scientifica Medica 2013; 45(1): 58-61.