Evaluation of the Relationship Between Microalbuminuria/Creatinine Ratio and QTc Dispersion in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective: The assessment of QTc dispersion (QTd) is of importance in determining the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Our study explored the relationship between the microalbumin/creatinine (MA/crea) ratio and QT(cd) in the context of CAN development in DN. Material and Methods: We selected fifty individuals with a spot urine MA/crea ratio of less than 30 as the control group and fifty individuals with an MA/crea ratio between 30 and 300 as the patient group. QT intervals were calculated using the Bazett formula, taking into account the heart rate. Results: In contrast to the control group, the patient group exhibited a considerably higher median QTc min value (380.63 msn, 361.44–397.30, p: 0.042) and a statistically significant increase in the median QTc max value (439.98 msn, 420.17–460.22, p=0.005). Furthermore, the median MA/crea value (82, 60–300, p<0.0001) was found to be highly significant. However, the median QT(cd) value (61.25 msn, 49.91–81.70, p=0.066) was only marginally significant, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. It is worth noting that both groups showed a significant difference in terms of QTd (p<0.001). In the control group, where DN had not yet developed, the QT(cd) value could be detected before an increase in the MA/crea value. Conclusion: The findings that both the control group and the patient group exhibited elevated QTcd values suggest that this parameter may be a viable predictor of cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, it is conceivable that QTcd could serve as an early warning sign for cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients who have not yet reached the stage of microalbuminuria.