Autonomic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients is associated with hyperinsulinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify whether parasympathetic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients is associated with features of the insulin resistance syndrome.


METHODS
Blood pressures, glycaemic control (HbA1c), plasma lipids, residual beta-cell function (fasting plasma C-peptide), autonomic nerve function, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate (Cr-EDTA clearance) were evaluated in 82 Type 2 diabetic patients (age 63+/-years) 5 years after diagnosis of diabetes.


RESULTS
Parasympathetic neuropathy (an abnormal age corrected E/I ratio) was found in 24/82 (29%) patients. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), patients with parasympathetic neuropathy had elevated fasting plasma C-peptide (P < 0.001) and triglyceride (Tg) (P < 0.05) levels compared with patients without parasympathetic neuropathy. In addition, the age corrected E/I ratio correlated inversely with Tg (r=-0.31; P<0.01) and fasting plasma C-peptide (r=-0.32; P < 0.01) in the Type 2 diabetic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Autonomic neuropathy 5 years after diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is associated with an unfavourable metabolic risk profile.
Gottsäter
A
A
Department of Vascular and Renal Diseases, University of Lund, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Ahmed
M
M
Fernlund
P
P
Sundkvist
G
G
D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000150:complications*; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000150:complications*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome