INCREASED VON WILLEBRAND‐ANTIHAEMOPHILIC FACTOR A IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

The von Willebrand factor‐Factor VIII (vW‐AHF) related protein and the AHF (antihaemophilic factor A) activity have been measured in the blood of 63 diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. Compared to normals, diabetic patients showed a clear increase in both vW‐AHF related protein and AHF activity. Patients with retinopathy had a level of vW‐AHF related protein significantly higher than patients without retinopathy. Since the von Willebrand factor is involved in the mechanism of platelet adhesion and aggregation these findings may contribute to an explanation of the increased platelet stickiness known to occur in diabetics and especially in those with retinal changes.