Diabetic Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic neuropathies are thought to result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) represents a serious complication associated with Diabetic neuropathies. Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate the presence of cardiovascular diabetic autonomic neuropathy in a group of adult diabetic Sudanese patients with ischemic heart disease. Methodology: This is a descriptive prospective cross sectional hospital based study. The study population included type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients admitted to the cardiac care unit in ELshaab Teaching Hospital with acute coronary syndrome over a period of two years, from April 2017to April 2019. Results: A total of 49 males (65.33%) and 26 females (34.67%) were included in the study. CAN was detected in 94.67% of the studied group Conclusion: An incidence of 94.67% cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in our sample indicates a high occurrence of this syndrome among our diabetic patients. Poor glycemic control is a common feature among our studied group. Sub-clinical autonomic neuropathy can be detected early using autonomic function tests.