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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2003; 111(6): 351-357
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42726
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Connection between QT Dispersion and Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

K. Takebayashi 1 , R. Sugita 1 , K. Tayama 1 , Y. Aso 1 , Y. Takemura 1 , T. Inukai 1
  • 1Department of Medicine, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Koshigaya, Japan
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Publication History

Received: May 3, 2002 First decision: September 29, 2002

Accepted: March 13, 2003

Publication Date:
01 October 2003 (online)

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Abstract

It is controversial whether an increase in the QT dispersion (QTd) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients. In the current study, the QTd was compared in 60 type 2 diabetic patients and in 30 healthy subjects, and its association with autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients was investigated. An increased QTd was found in diabetic patients, compared to healthy subjects. The QTd had significant negative associations with the log of the low and high frequency power (log LF and HF, respectively) of the power spectral analyses (PSA) of heart rate variations and the systolic blood response during standing (Δ BP). There was no significant difference in the QTd between patients with and without sympathetic skin response (SSR), reflecting peripheral sympathetic function. A significant positive correlation was also found between QTd and the systolic blood pressure (SBP). On the other hand, there was no correlation between QTd and serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin (Hb) A1C concentrations or body mass index (BMI). By multiple regression analysis, the log HF, which reflects cardiac parasympathetic function, and the SBP alone were significantly associated with QTd as the dependent variable. The Δ BP and log LF, which partially reflect sympathetic nerve function, had no significant associations with QTd. These findings suggest that QTd reflects cardiac autonomic neuropathy (relative parasympathetic neuropathy) and that the QTd is also influenced by SBP, independent of autonomic neuro-function.

Key words

QT dispersion - autonomic neuropathy - type 2 diabetes

References

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M. D. Kohzo Takebayashi

Department of Medicine, Koshigaya Hospital
Dokkyo University School of Medicine

2-1-50, Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya

Saitama, 343-8555

Japan

Phone: +81 489651111

Fax: + 81 489 65 11 27

Email: takeb@gmail.plala.or.jp