PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and examine its correlation with diabetes-related factors such as glycemic control, duration of diabetes, and associated complications.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, assessed from January 2023 to December 2023 at a tertiary care hospital. Patients underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation to measure diastolic function parameters including early diastolic filling velocity (E), late diastolic filling velocity (A), E/A ratio, and E/E' ratio. Data on demographics, duration of diabetes, HbA1c levels, and presence of hypertension and diabetic nephropathy were collected. Diastolic dysfunction was categorized based on echocardiographic findings.

Results: Of the 120 patients, 55% exhibited LVDD. Echocardiographic analysis revealed that 40% of patients had abnormal E velocities, 45% had a reduced E/A ratio, and 35% had an elevated E/E' ratio. Severe LVDD was present in 8% of the cohort. There were significant correlations between LVDD severity and longer duration of diabetes (r = 0.45, p < 0.01) and higher HbA1c levels (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). Additionally, hypertension and diabetic nephropathy were associated with more severe forms of diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusion: LVDD is prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and is significantly associated with poor glycemic control, longer duration of diabetes, and diabetes-related complications. Early detection and management of LVDD are crucial for improving patient outcomes and preventing progression to symptomatic heart failure. Future studies should focus on optimizing treatment strategies for managing diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Keywords: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, echocardiography, glycemic control, cardiovascular complications