A morphometric analysis of the capillary basement membrane as a diagnostic parameter in diabetes mellitus.

Thirty-seven diabetic patients were examined by a morphometric analysis of the basement membrane at submicroscopic level. According to how long they had had diabetes they were divided into three groups (A less than 2 years, B less than 15 years, C greater than 15 years) and the BM thicknesses measured were compared with the data obtained in five control subjects. Simultaneous biochemical and clinical screening was used to elaborate a Spearman's non-parametric correlating coefficient. The results confirmed that morphometric evaluation of the state of the capillary BM in skeletal muscle can be employed as a marker of organic complications in diabetes mellitus.