Increased body mass index (BMI) found to be associated with cardiac impairement in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitu

Diabetes mellitus induces cardiac dysfunction unrelated to arterial hypertension and other frequent comorbidities. While most previous studies included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, more recent studies have confirmed a higher prevalence of cardiac impairment in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as well.

The aim of our study was to find potential early cardiac changes predictors in these patients, which have not been elucidated yet. Sixty-one middle-aged asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. We performed a detailed clinical examination, a transthoracic echocardiography and laboratory tests in all patients. Notably, we discovered a consistent association with cardiac chambers size and performance only for the body mass index (BMI). However, no association of diabetes duration, the long-term trend of glycemic control, renal function and lipids with cardiac structure and function were found.

Finally, the results of our study show that increased BMI potentiates the negative effects of diabetes mellitus on the heart and we recommend early screening of these patients with echocardiography. As our study was cross-sectional and hypothesis-generating, further studies are warranted to confirm the causal relationship of obesity with early cardiac changes in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

More information:
David Šuran, Vojko Kanič, Franjo Naji, Igor Krajnc, Miro Čokolič, Eva Zemljič, Andreja Sinkovič. Predictors of early cardiac changes in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: an echocardiography-based study. Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2019 Jun 18. doi: 10.17305/bjbms.2019.4250.

Provided by Association of Basic Medical Sciences of FBIH