Detailed ECG analysis in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a predictor of multitude of complications

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease with life-threatening complications and morbidity. The 12 lead ECG, an easily available investigation, when studied in detail can give a lot of information and predict various microvascular and macrovascular complications apart from coronary artery disease.Methods: A random cross sectional study involving 100 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus, in the age group of 18-80 years were included in study after applying various inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were subjected to ECG, 2D echocardiography and laboratory tests. Data were collected and analysed.Results: Arrythmia was not detected in any patient. A resting tachycardia (HR >100) in 30 patients correlated with Prolonged QTc (>440 miliseconds) (p=0.04). QRS amplitude was reduced in 26 patients. Prolonged QTc also correlated with presence of diabetic complications, retinopathy of NPDR type and nephropathy (p=0.004). Hence about 30% of the study group did show signs of early diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy and cardiomyopathy.Conclusions: The statistically significant utility of electrocardiogram in predicting various complications of diabetes apart from coronary artery disease.

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

“…other research works which reported more female participants than males(Gokhale & Jeyaseelan, 2020). The mean age of the experimental group in this study was 57.50 years.…”

“…This is in contrast to the result reported by Bedane et al (2021), which reported 200 (61%) having at least one type of ECG abnormality. Others reported 26% of subjects with ECG abnormalities, other studies reported 29.1% (Gokhale & Jeyaseelan, 2020) and 53% (Teimouri et al, 2022). The most common ECG abnormalities found in this population were ST-segment elevation, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and left bundle branch block (LBBB).…”

“…Multiple organ systems are affected by the disease, which is largely defined by hyperglycemia brought on by insufficient insulin secretion, ineffective insulin action, or occasionally a mix of both. Diabetes can lead to early atherosclerosis, which can damage both the micro-and macro-vasculature and frequently manifest as nephropathy and coronary artery disease (Gokhale & Jeyaseelan, 2020).…”

Factors Related to Electrocardiogram Abnormality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

“…The role of the ECG in diagnosing cardiovascular disease is crucial, including in diagnosing complications of diabetes other than coronary artery disease [11]. The high rate of asymptomatic ischemic heart disease [12] and the incidence of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) [13] based on ECG examination makes the ECG examination a recommended diagnostic tool in detecting the risk of cardiovascular events [4].…”

Glycaemic Control and Evidences of Ischaemic Heart Disease of Known Type 2 Diabetics Attending the Endocrinology Clinic at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Nigeria

“…Multiple organ systems are affected by the disease, which is largely defined by hyperglycemia brought on by insufficient insulin secretion, ineffective insulin action, or occasionally a mix of both. It can lead to early atherosclerosis, which can damage both the micro-and macrovasculature and frequently manifest as nephropathy and coronary artery disease [4].…”