Sex-based differences in the association between duration of type 2 diabetes and heart rate variability.
We examined the association between heart rate variability (HRV) and duration of type 2 diabetes among 155 female and 106 male subjects: mean+/-SD for duration=49.6+/-65.6 and 57.3+/-77.1 months, respectively, p=0.38. Among males, duration of diabetes was independently and inversely associated with vagal-heart rate modulation (high frequency (HF) power, 0.15-0.40 Hz, standardised ss = -0.32, p=0.001; root mean square of successive differences between R-R intervals, ss = -0.26, p=0.006) and total R-R variability (standard deviation of normal R-R intervals, ss = -0.36, p=0.001); but not among females (p> or =0.80 for each HRV index). In contrast, HF was inversely associated with age of diabetes diagnosis (ss = -0.16, p=0.04) and 10-year absolute risk for coronary heart disease (ss = -0.16, p=0.04) among female subjects. Longitudinal research is needed to establish whether risk factors for early cardiac autonomic impairment differ among men and women with type 2 diabetes.
Nolan
Robert P
RP
Behavioral Cardiology Research Unit, University Health Network, 585 University Ave., Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada. rnolan@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Barry-Bianchi
Susan M
SM
Mechetiuc
Adriana E
AE
Chen
Maggie H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*