Evaluation of autonomic neuropathy in newly diagnosed and chronic type 2 diabetic patients: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is one of the most important complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) that ultimately occurs in most patients. The purpose of this study was to screen and diagnose latent cases of autonomic neuropathy between patients who have a history of over 10 years DM and recently diagnosed diabetic patients.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 104 patients (52 type 2 DM patients diagnosed in the last 6 months; and 52 type 2 DM patients with more than 10 years history) referred to outpatient Endocrine Clinic of Imam Reza Medical Center in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences between 2015-2016. Blood pressure, resting heart rate and corrected QT interval were evaluated according to standard methods. The history of gastrointestinal and urinary tract neuropathy was extracted from patients’ history and physical exam.

Of the 104 patients studied, 54 were male and 50 were female. Standing heart rate (p=0.02), resting (p<0.0002) and standing (p<0.0001) systolic blood pressure, and resting diastolic blood pressure (p=0.03) were significantly higher in chronic diabetic patients compared to newly diagnosed group. Additionally, blood glucose levels (p=0.03) and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with neuropathy.

Overall, the results of this study showed that in patients with type 2 DM, cardiac autonomic dysfunction is more common in patients with a longer history of DM.