title: Twenty-four hours blood pressure and heart rate profiles in diabetics with and without autonomic neuropathy.
abstract: Previous studies have shown an increased incidence of sudden deaths and lower survival in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy. In hypertensive non diabetic patients a direct correlation has been found between nocturnal blood pressure levels and left ventricular hypertrophy. We have shown in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy a flattening in nocturnal blood pressure reduction and increased 24 hours blood pressure values compared to diabetics without autonomic neuropathy and controls. Our results suggest that abnormalities in 24 hours blood pressure profile might play a role in the increased incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, 2nd University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Felici
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Spallone
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Maiello
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gatta
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Civetta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frontoni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gambardella
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menzinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged