Diabetes mellitus is characterized by organ dysfunction arising from the effects of chronic hyperglycemia. The chronic complications of diabetes are classified as macro and microvascular depending on the underlying pathophysiology. The microvascular triad of retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy is unique to diabetes. Chronic inflammation plays an essential role in the progression of diabetic microvascular complications. Recently, new markers have been studied in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications such as Von Willebrand factor. Von Willebrand factor also seems to be a reason for diabetic microangiopathy and its severity.
AIM OF STUDY
The study was aimed at demonstrating the relationship between the levels of serum Von Willebrand and factor (vWF) and diabetic retinopathy, as an early predictor for developing diabetic retinopathy and its severity.
PATEINTS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients with diabetes mellitus and recruited from the Vitreo- retinal and diabetes Outpatient Clinic at Alexandria Main University Hospital.