Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its Association with Age, Gender, Duration and Glycosylated Haemoglobin: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders resulting in hyperglycaemia with disturbances in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Hyperglycaemia when present for a long period of time leads to a host of metabolic abnormalities and also results in end organ damage. Diastolic dysfunction is an early sign of diabetic heart muscle disease preceding systolic and diastolic damage. Only a few studies have been conducted in central India to establish this prevalence and association in diabetic patients.

Aim: To assess Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction (LVDD) in diabetic patients and its association with age, gender, duration, and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 150 normotensive patients with type 2 DM and no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease were enrolled by simple random selection in the Department of General Medicine, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. The sample size was calculated by standard formula with a confidence interval of 95% and an error margin of less than 5%. A semi-structured proforma was used to record the demographic profiles with full medication history, as well as, anthropometric measurements like height, weight, and waist circumference. Blood pressure was measured and blood was drawn for complete blood count, liver function test, renal function test, fasting and postprandial blood sugar, HbA1c, and lipid profile. Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic studies were performed to assess LVDD. Data obtained by various methods was analysed statistically using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0 and Chi-square test.

Results: The present study showed that 85 out of 150 types 2 diabetic patients had diastolic dysfunction, out of which 80 had grade I diastolic dysfunction and, five of them had grade II diastolic dysfunction. The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was increased with age, duration, and HbA1c (≥7%) and was not affected by gender.

Conclusion: The study concluded that asymptomatic normotensive patients of type 2 DM have Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). LVDD were associated with age, gender, duration of diabetes, and HbA1c.