title: Does abnormal QT interval prolongation reflect autonomic dysfunction in diabetic patients? QTc interval measure versus standardized tests in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.
abstract: The question as to whether the QTc interval correlates with five cardiovascular tests (deep breathing test, 30/15 ratio test, lying to standing test, cough test, and postural blood pressure test) for the diagnosis of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) was investigated in 168 (38 Type 1, 130 Type 2) consecutive outpatients (mean age 54.9 +/- 11.2 years). QT interval was measured on an ECG recorded at rest and QTc calculated according to Bazett's formula. The percentage of patients with a QTc greater than 0.440 s was: absent DAN = 11% (n = 7), probable DAN = 7% (n = 4), definite DAN = 23% (n = 12) (p < 0.05), and the mean (+/- SD) QTc values were 0.403 +/- 0.028 s, 0.405 +/- 0.023 s, and 0.421 +/- 0.026 s, respectively. A significant correlation between QTc duration and DAN score of autonomic cardiovascular test results (r = 0.34, p < 0.0001) was observed. The calculated specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values were 89%, 15%, 70% and 37%, respectively. In conclusion, QTc can be considered as an additional specific test in the assessment of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, but cannot replace the standard battery of cardiovascular tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veglio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chinaglia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borra
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Perin
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003371:Cough; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012119:Respiration; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity