The Level of Platelets in the Blood of Patients With Diabetic Foot Syndrome as a Criterion of the Lesion Severity

Abstract

Background. Diabetes mellitus is a global threat to public health. DFU is a marker of increased mortality in diabetic patients. It is important to understand the factors that would indicate the appearance of complications of diabetes mellitus. Objective. To investigate the factors influencing the occurrence of complications in patients with diabetes mellitus, to identify independent predictors of complications. Material and methods. A prospective non-randomized observational study was carried out from June 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021. The study involved 42 patients. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included subjects with a history of type 2 diabetes, group 2 – those with type 2 diabetes, complicated by DFU. Results. During the study, the level of platelets in the blood of all patients was 222.0 (177.5; 318.5)×109/l. The platelet count in group 1 was equal to 186 (154.5; 251.5)×109/l, and in group 2 it was 326.0 (239.25; 357.25)×109/l, statistical differences were significant (p <0.001). We divided the patients with DFS according to the Wagner classification, where platelet counts were determined for each of the classification grades. The level of platelets in patients with grade 1 was 267.0 (222.0; 322.5)×109/l, in those with grade 2 – 358.0 (234.75; 280.25)×109/l, in subjects with grade 3 – 340 (309.5; 360.5)×109/l, in those with grade 4 – 328 (305,75; 330,0)×109/l, and in those with grade 5 – 404 (293.5; 407.75)×109/l. The obtained data showed that the platelet count in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus, complicated by diabetic foot syndrome was higher, than in patients with diabetes mellitus without complications. The platelet count in patients with diabetic foot syndrome gradually increased with an increase in the degree on the Wagner scale. The blood platelet count can be useful in assessing the severity of diabetic foot syndrome. Conclusions. The platelet count in patients with type 2 diabetes can be considered as a laboratory criterion and an independent risk factor for complications.