Association between nephropathy and QT dispersion in type 2 diabetic patients

A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine the Association of Corrected QT Interval With Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a frequent and life-threatening complication of type 2 diabetes. Failure to diagnose can lead to high mortality and morbidity. In patients who have diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria is an independent marker for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the corrected QT interval with microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to estimate the corrected QT interval in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine the association of the corrected QT interval with microalbuminuria type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology Ninety-five adult patients (>18 years to 65 years) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria were included in this study. Data were collected on the proforma through history taking and a general physical and systemic examination. An electrocardiograph was taken on the day of admission; the most prolonged QT interval was measured, and the RR interval was calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24 (Released 2016; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results There was a significant difference in the corrected QT interval prolongation prevalence between diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and without microalbuminuria (P-value <0.001). The mean corrected QT interval distribution did not differ significantly across various age groups of cases studied with microalbuminuria (P-value 0.98). The distribution of mean corrected QT interval did not differ significantly between the group of male cases and group of female cases studied with microalbuminuria (P-value 0.66). The mean corrected QT interval distribution did not differ significantly across various duration of diabetes groups among the cases studied with microalbuminuria (P-value 0.60). The mean corrected QT interval distribution did not differ significantly across different types of anti-diabetic treatment groups among the cases studied with microalbuminuria (P-value 0.64). Conclusion Type 2 diabetes has been prevalent in Indian and Asian populations. The early management of type 2 diabetes is necessary since the early stages of the disease can reduce the risk of CAN. Therefore, these patients should be diagnosed as early as possible and treated to reduce associated mortality and risk and to improve quality of care.

Evaluation of the relationship between the level of addiction and exhaled carbon monoxide levels with QT dispersion in smokers

INTRODUCTION

Smoking increases the risk of arrhythmia. QT dispersion (QTd) is an important indicator for the determination of ventricular arrhythmia. In this study, we aimed to determine the arrhythmia risk by evaluating QTd in smokers and to assess the relationship between the level of nicotine addiction and carbon monoxide (CO) level in the expiratory air.

METHODS

This study was designed as a single-center, cross-sectional study. Among the chronic smokers referred to the Smoking Cessation Clinic of a tertiary hospital between October 2019 and January 2020, all those who had no risk factors for cardiac arrhythmias, except smoking, were included in the study. Sociodemographic data and smoking characteristics of the participants were collected and exhaled CO levels were measured. QT intervals were measured in all leads by using a 12-lead standard electrocardiogram (ECG), and heart rate corrected QT (QTc) intervals, QT dispersion (QTd), and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) were calculated.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 250 patients was 37.2±9.3 years and the majority of patients (65%) were male. The mean amount of smoking was 25.74±16.03 packs/year and the mean value of CO was 12.36±7.06 ppm. The mean QTd was 23.83±13.12 ms, and the mean QTcd was 26.63±15.02 ms. A statistically significant relationship was found between QTd and QTcd and level of addiction, consumption of sticks/day and packs/year, and exhaled CO values (all p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that as the level of addiction, cigarette use amount, exhaled CO levels, and BMI increased in smokers, QT dispersion and arrhythmia risk increased.