Association of Body Mass Index with Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Among Ambulatory Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Rural Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study.

Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is a recognized complication of diabetes mellitus which precedes and is a risk factor for heart failure. We aimed to determine the prevalence of LVDD and its association with body mass index (BMI) in ambulatory adults with diabetes mellitus. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 195 ambulatory Ugandan adults living with diabetes mellitus for at least five years from the time of diagnosis at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). We collected demographic, clinical data and measured body mass index. Laboratory tests included glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and urine microalbumin. Echocardiography was done to determine LVDD by assessing the mitral inflow E/A ratio, E/è ratio, TR jet peak velocity, and left atrium maximum volume index. Logistic regression was used to establish associations of body mass index and other covariates with LVDD. Results: Overall, 195 participants were enrolled and 141(72.3%) were females. The mean age was 62 [standard deviation (SD), 11.5] years and median duration of diabetes diagnosis was 10 [Interquartile range (IQR), 7,15] years. LVDD was prevalent at 86% and majority, 127(65.13%) had grade-1 diastolic dysfunction. BMI ≥25kg/m2 [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)=2.8, (95% confidence interval (CI)=1-7.6), p=0.038], age 50 year or more [aOR= 4.9, (95%CI=1.5-16.2), p=0.010], and history of hypertension [aOR= 3.0, (95% CI= 1.1-8.1), p=0.031] were associated with LVDD.Conclusion: The prevalence of LVDD was high during the study period. We recommend early and periodic echocardiographic screening for diabetes patients with high body mass index.