Heart rate variability and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from fish may reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The aim of the present study was to examine associations between n-3 PUFA and 24-h heart rate variability in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
The out-patient's diabetic clinic at Hjørring Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark.


METHODS
Forty-three patients with type 1 DM and 38 patients with type 2 DM.


METHODS
The patients fulfilled a food-questionnaire regarding fish consumption, whilst the content of n-3 PUFA in platelets was measured and 24-h heart rate variability (HRV) was obtained.


RESULTS
The patients fish consumption was strongly related to their content of n-3 PUFA in platelets. Furthermore, in patients with type 1 DM a close positive association was found between the content of n-3 PUFA in platelets and 24-h HRV. This association was not significant in patients with type 2 DM.


CONCLUSIONS
The positive association between n-3 PUFA in platelets and HRV may indicate a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA on HRV in patients with type 1 DM. Further studies are warranted to clarify whether supplementation with n-3 PUFA reduce the risk of SCD amongst patients with DM.
Christensen
J H
JH
Department of Nephrology, Aalborg Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. jhc@dadlnet.dk
Skou
H A
HA
Madsen
T
T
Tørring
I
I
Schmidt
E B
EB
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3