Study of Left Ventricular Mass Index in Newly Detected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjects

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetics are at 2-3 times higher risk for cardiac disease than non-diabetics. Increased Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) may lead to the increased cardiovascular risk, because LVH is an important prognostic sign and it is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death. The objective of the study is to find out the prevalence of abnormal LVMI in newly detected type 2 DM subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a descriptive study. A total of 50 newly detected type 2 DM subjects selected from KR Hospital attached to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute. They were examined for height, weight, BMI and BSA. They underwent routine investigations, HbA1c and 2D-Echocardiography. Left ventricular mass index of these patients was calculated using 2D-Echo. RESULTS Mean age was 50.26±9.10 (SD), male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1; 28% were in obesity group. As BMI increased there was increased occurrence of abnormal LVMI in both male and female subjects. Subjects who had LVH with > 5 score in Romhilt and Estes criteria had 100% abnormal LVMI compared to those with < 5 had 41.4%, which was statistically significant (p < 0.00). There is increased incidence of abnormal LVMI with increase in mean HbA1c, which was statistically significant (p < 0.012). CONCLUSION Incidence of abnormal Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) increases with loss of diabetic control and increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) and can be present even in newly detected type 2 DM. Hence, early diagnosis and good control of type 2 DM is important which may reduce the incidence of abnormal LVMI.