Platelet abnormalities in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Abnormal platelet function has been demonstrated in 20 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The results are compared to those obtained from 19 matched diabetic patients with no clinical evidence of complications and 20 matched normal control subjects. Platelets from patients with diabetic neuropathy showed an increased sensitivity to the aggregating agents adenosine diphosphate and adrenaline. Spontaneous platelet aggregation was demonstrated in both groups of diabetic patients.