Prevalence and determinants of electrocardiographic abnormalities in sub-Saharan African individuals with type 2 diabetes

Aim

This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of electrocardiographic abnormalities in a group of type 2 diabetes patients recruited from two referral centres in Cameroon.

Methods

A total of 420 patients (49% men) receiving chronic diabetes care at the Douala General and Yaoundé Central hospitals were included. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were investigated, identified and related to potential determinants, with logistic regressions.

Results

The mean age and median duration of diagnosis were 56.7 years and four years, respectively. The main electrocardiographic aberrations (prevalence %) were: T-wave abnormalities (20.9%), Cornell product left ventricular hypertrophy (16.4%), arrhythmia (16.2%), ischaemic heart disease (13.6%), conduction defects (11.9%), QTc prolongation (10.2%) and ectopic beats (4.8%). Blood pressure variables were consistently associated with all electrocardiographic abnormalities. Diabetes-specific factors were associated with some abnormalities only.

Conclusions

Electrocardiographic aberrations in this population were dominated by repolarisation, conduction defects and left ventricular hypertrophy, and were more related to blood pressure than diabetes-specific factors.

Continuous interstitial glucose monitoring in non-diabetic subjects with end-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance haemodialysis

Haemodialysis improves uraemia-induced insulin sensitivity and is therefore likely to induce significant changes in circulating glucose concentrations in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to assess clinically relevant circulating glucose changes in patients undergoing chronic maintenance haemodialysis using continuous interstitial monitoring. We investigated 14 non-diabetic ESRD subjects aged 40.6+/-2.4 years. Participants were examined 24-h day pre-dialysis, during the index dialysis session and 24-h post-dialysis with simultaneous measurement of capillary blood glucose and continuous interstitial glucose (CGMS). Participants performed five capillary blood glucose measurements the day before dialysis, and 10 during and after dialysis. Mean capillary blood glucose was 128+/-20mg/dl the day before, 93+/-8mg/dl during haemodialysis, and 105+/-13mg/dl after haemodialysis. There was a significant trend towards lower blood glucose during the session from 105+/-16mg/dl to a 3rd hour nadir of 83+/-15mg/dl (Anova F=2.89, p=0.029). No hypoglycaemia was recorded. Interstitial glucose profile was comparable to capillary glucose profile. Glucose concentrations varied significantly from 126+/-13mg/dl before to 112+/-12mg/dl after haemodialysis respectively (p=0.006). This study provides evidence for the use of CGMS in ESRD and haemodialysis, and demonstrates significant changes in glucose concentrations during and after haemodialysis that would guide treatment monitoring and adjustments.