Association of D-dimer Level with Renal Parameters and Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: D-dimer is a biomarker that can detect early stages of renal and cardiovascular dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). It serves as a key indicator and is readily available in laboratory settings, along with other risk factors. Aim: To investigate the association between D-dimer levels and renal parameters, as well as cardiovascular events, among T2DM subjects. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Visnagar's Nootan Medical College and Research Centre, Visnagar, Gujarat, India, involving subjects who visited the centre for health checks between September 2021 and December 2022. Screening was performed on all adult individuals with T2DM. Clinical records of 550 consecutive T2DM patients, aged between 18 and 80 years, receiving care at the centre were analysed. After applying exclusion criteria, 155 patients with T2DM diagnosis were enrolled. Parameters such as cystatin C, D-dimer, serum creatinine, urea, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), and albuminuria were evaluated in all subjects. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine whether renal indicators are associated with high D-dimer levels, generating an odds ratio. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed, correcting for sex and age, to determine which kidney indicators are linked to high D-dimer levels. Results: A total of 155 participants were included in this study, and were divided into high and low D-dimer groups. The mean ages of the low and high D-dimer groups were 40 +/- 13 years and 55 +/- 10 years, respectively. Compared to the low D-dimer group, the high D- dimer group had a higher frequency of males (p-value <0.001). Patients with high D-dimer levels exhibited significantly increased levels of HbA1c, creatinine, urea, cystatin C, and UAE compared to patients with low D-dimer levels (p-value=0.001, p-value=0.001, p-value <0.001, p-value <0.001, and p-value=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: D-dimer may be beneficial in identifying patients with early-stage diabetic kidney disease, thereby promoting the early adoption of renal and cardioprotective therapy. Additionally, elevated D-dimer levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.