Low Physical Activity Is Associated With Impaired Endothelial Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Controls After 5 Years of Follow-up

Abstract

Background: The long-term association between physical activity and endothelial function has not previously been investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and endothelial function, estimated by peripheral arterial tonometry, in patients with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic controls after 5 years of follow-up. Methods: We included 51 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 53 sex- and age matched controls. Participants underwent baseline clinical characterization including objective measures of physical activity level using accelerometery. After 5 years of follow-up, participants were re-examined, and endothelial function was assessed as natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia index (lnRHI).Results: Physical activity at baseline was associated with lnRHI after 5 years of follow-up in both patients with type 2 diabetes and controls. An increase of 1 standard deviation (SD) in daytime physical activity corresponded to a 6.7% increase in RHI (95% confidence interval: 1.1;12.5%, p = 0.02). We found no difference in lnRHI between patients with diabetes and controls (0.67 ± 0.29 vs. 0.73 ± 0.31, p = 0.28).Conclusions: Daytime physical activity is associated with endothelial function after 5 years of follow-up in patients with type 2 diabetes and controls.