Electrocardiographic abnormalities predict deaths from cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease in Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
The association between electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been reported in the general population, but there is little information regarding persons with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Minor and major ECG abnormalities were identified and classified according to the Minnesota Code in a longitudinal study of 1605 Pima Indians aged > or =35 years with type 2 diabetes. Underlying causes of death were determined by review of all available clinical records, autopsy reports, medical examiners' findings, and death certificates.


RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 14.1 years (range 0.1 to 33.8 years), there were 190 CVD deaths, 135 (71.1%) of which were attributable to IHD. The age-adjusted CVD death rates in men with none, minor, and major ischemic ECG abnormalities were 7.3, 12.2 and 27.8, and in women, 4.3, 4.8 and 12.5 per 1000 person-years, respectively. After adjustment for other co-variables in a multiple proportional hazards model, subjects with minor and major ischemic abnormalities on ECG had 1.22 (95% CI, 0.76-1.97) and 1.83 (95% CI, 1.21-2.76) times the CVD death rate, and 1.32 (95% CI, 0.70-2.50) and 2.12 (95% CI, 1.26-3.57) times the IHD death rate of those with no ischemic ECG abnormalities, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The CVD and IHD death rates were higher in men and in subjects with major ischemic ECG abnormalities. Major ischemic abnormalities on ECG predicted death after accounting for other cardiovascular risk factors, including proteinuria.
Jimenez-Corona
Aida
A
Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Phoenix, AZ 85014-4972, USA. aidaj@phx.niddk.nih.gov
Nelson
Robert G
RG
Sievers
Maurice L
ML
Knowler
William C
WC
Hanson
Robert L
RL
Bennett
Peter H
PH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000401:mortality*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution