Abnormal ECG Findings of Known Type 2 Diabetics Attending the Endocrinology Clinic at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with life-threatening micro- and macro-vascular complications with cardiovascular complications being the major cause of death among those with type 2 diabetes. The study was aimed at evaluating the abnormal electrocardiographic changes associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus among diabetic patients attending the endocrinology clinic in FMC Yenagoa during the study period. The study made use of 162 apparently healthy individuals and 300 diabetic patients. Interviewer-administered questionnaire, 12-lead ECG and fasting blood sugar were the study tools. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired sample T-test and Pearson Product Moment correlation. The results revealed that the ECG abnormalities associated with type 2-DM were abnormal axis, widened QRS duration, elevated and depressed ST-segment and LVH. Again, age, gender, BMI, smoking and FSB were the risk factors found to be associated with cardiac abnormalities. A close and regular monitoring of the FBS, BP and ECG were therefore recommended for diabetic patients.