Factors related to exercise capacity in asymptomatic middle-aged type 2 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to look at the relationship between exercise capacity and metabolic variables in unselected consecutive asymptomatic middle-aged type 2 diabetic patients as a potential marker for undiagnosed coronary heart disease.


METHODS
Ninety patients (49 +/- 6 years) were included in the study. All patients performed a treadmill exercise test using the Bruce protocol. According to achieved EC, patients were separated into three groups; Group I (n, 24) 8 > metabolic equivalents (METs) > or = 5, Group II (n, 54) 11 > METs > or = 8 and Group III (n, 12) METs > or = 11.


RESULTS
Patients in group I are more likely to be of female gender and to have a family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) than in group III (P = 0.015, P = 0.009, respectively). When compared to group III, patients in group I had higher fasting insulin and fibrinogen levels (P = 0.049 and P = 0.01, respectively). Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index (P = 0.03) was also higher in group I than in group III. We found a significant negative correlation between achieved exercise capacity and age (r = -0.204, P = 0.048), fasting insulin (r = -0.209, P = 0.048), HOMA-IR (r = -0.204, P = 0.048) as well as fibrinogen (r = -0.301, P = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced exercise capacity was associated with increased insulin resistance as assessed by HOMA-IR index in asymptomatic middle-aged type 2 diabetic patients.
Ugur-Altun
Betul
B
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical School, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
Altun
Armagan
A
Tatli
Ersan
E
Tugrul
Armagan
A
D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006339:Heart Rate; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
D007328:Insulin; D005340:Fibrinogen