Cardiovascular autonomic function and vibration perception threshold in type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Journal of diabetes and its complications Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 339 - 342
• Main Authors: Goit, Rajesh Kumar, Khadka, Rita, Sharma, Sanjib Kumar, Limbu, Nirmala, Paudel, Bishnu Hari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2012; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Autoimmune diseases; Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology; Blood pressure; Blood Pressure - physiology; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular System - innervation; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Hand Strength - physiology; Health sciences; Heart rate; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Rate - physiology; Sensory Thresholds - physiology; Sympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology; Tilt-Table Test; Touch Perception - physiology; Vibration; Vibration perception threshold; Heart rate; Blood pressure; Vibration perception threshold; Diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 1056-8727; 1873-460X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2012.03.026

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare cardiovascular autonomic function tests (AFT) and vibration perception threshold (VPT) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with controls. Research Design/Methods The study was conducted on 60 diabetic patients comparing with 30 controls. The cardiovascular AFT and VPT were assessed in both groups. Results Among cardiovascular AFT, E:I ratio [1.24 (1.2–1.32) vs 1.3 (1.24–1.4), p = 0.001], and Valsalva ratio [1.28 (1.22–1.4) vs 1.6 (1.5–1.73), p = 0.001], the indicators of parasympathetic reactivity were reduced in T2DM. Rise in DBP during handgrip, an indicator of sympathetic reactivity was lower in T2DM [12 (10–14) vs 16 (14–18) mmHg, p = 0.001] whereas, fall in SBP during head up tilt [4 (4–8) vs 5 (4–8) mmHg] was comparable. VPT (somatic sensation) was comparable between T2DM and control. Conclusion Autonomic involvement is more marked than somatic, and parasympathetic involvement is more marked than the sympathetic, possibly reflecting severity and chronological pattern of their involvement.