Disclosed is a method for determination of a condition of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC) in a DIC patient, wherein the method comprises determining the amount and/or the enzymatic activity of a von Willebrand factor (vWF)-cleaving enzyme (ADAMTS13) (preferably also the amount of vWF). Also disclosed is a kit for determination of a condition of DIC, wherein the kit comprises an antibody capable of binding specifically to ADAMTS13 or a fragment thereof. The method enables to achieve a differential diagnosis of a thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patient from a DIC patient, which has been difficult to achieve previously only based on clinical observations or only by using conventional markers.