Abstract:Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma fibrinogen and nerve conduction velocity in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to analyze the risk factors of fibrinogen (FIB) levels. Methods A total of 252 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were selected and divided into two groups according to the diagnostic criteria of DPN: DPN group (n = 150) and T2DM group (n = 102). Another 100 healthy people were selected as normal control (NC) group. Clinical data were enrolled and FIB levels were compared among the three groups. In addition, DPN group was further divided into low FIB level subgroup (n = 65, FIB ≤ 4 mg/dl) and high FIB level subgroup (n = 85, FIB > 4 mg/dl), the peripheral nerve conduction velocity was measured in two subgroups. Results ① levels of WC, SBP, DBP, FPG, 2 h PG, Fins, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, HDL-C and FIB were higher in DPN group than those in NC group and T2DM group (P < 0.05); levels of FPG, 2 h PG, FIns, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TC, HDL-C and FIB were higher in T2DM group than those in NC group (all P = 0.000). ② Levels of age, DM course, BMI, FPG, 2 h PG, Fins, HbA1c, TG, LDL-C, HOMA-IR and smoking ratio were higher in FIB > 4 mg/dl subgroup than those in FIB ≤ 4 mg/dl subgroup (P < 0.05). ③ Levels of SCV and MCV were reduced in FIB > 4 mg/dl subgroup than those in FIB ≤ 4 mg/dl subgroup (P < 0.05). ④ Pearson correlation analysis showed that plasma FIB level was positively associated with age, DM course, BMI, FPG, HbA1c, TC, TG, LDL-C and smoking (P < 0.05). ⑤ Multiple stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that BMI, TG, HbA1c and smoking were influence factors of FIB (P < 0.05). Conclusions Plasma FIB level is increased and nerve conduction velocity is decreased in DPN patients, and BMI, TG, HbA1c and smoking are influence factors of FIB in DPN patients.