Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of morbidity/mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Echocardiography can detect changes in cardiac geometry/function before overt CVD symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in normotensive/hypertensive patients with T2DM without overt cardiac symptoms. A cross-sectional study in which fifty normotensives and fifty hypertensive adults with DM without overt cardiac symptoms were enrolled from the cardiology/diabetes clinics of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in a simple random manner. Relevant history, physical examination and biochemical investigations were performed. 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiograph assessment of LV geometry and function were also performed. Data was analyzed using Epi-info 7 statistical software; p value < 0.05 was considered significant. There were 27 females and 29 females in both groups. The prevalence of abnormal LV geometry was 36.0%, 95% CI 33.2-38.8% and 58.0%, 95% CI 55.2-60.8% in the normotensive and hypertensive groups respectively, P=0.028. Similarly, the prevalence of LV dysfunction was 38.0%, 95%CI 35.2-40.8% and 62.0%, 95%CI 59.2-64.8% respectively, P=0.017. The independent predictors of LV dysfunction were found to be duration of diabetes (OR 7.74, 95%CI 4.46-10.46), duration of hypertension ≥5years (OR 4.15, 95%CI 4.01-9.27), smoking (OR 4.34, 95%CI 1.32-6.23), body mass index ≥25 (OR 5.53, 95%CI 1.38-2.09) and glycosylated haemoglobin ≥7 (OR 7.11, 95%CI 2.15-0.81). There is high prevalence of LV dysfunction/abnormal LV geometry in T2DM patients without overt cardiac symptoms; co-morbid hypertension worsens these abnormalities. Early and periodic echocardiography is recommended with appropriate intervention in these patients.
Burden of Uncontrolled Metabolic Risk Factors and Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus