Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor and platelet adhesiveness in diabetic retinopathy

Thirteen non-diabetic controls, 40 diabetics without retinopathy and 19 diabetics with retinopathy, approximately matched for age and sex, were studied for plasma levels of F VIII:C, vWF:Ag and R Cof, and platelet adhesiveness. F VIII:C was elevated in both diabetic groups compared with normal controls, but no differences were found between the diabetic groups. vWF:Ag was significantly higher in both diabetic groups than in normal controls, and it was also elevated in diabetics with retinopathy compared with those without. R Cof was higher in diabetics with retinopathy than in normal controls or in diabetics without retinopathy, but there were no differences between normal controls and diabetics without retinopathy. We could not find any differences in platelet adhesiveness between the groups. The results in the present study suggested that F VIII/vWF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.