Publication:

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

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.