European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background and Aims: The significant and rising incidence of type 2 diabetes and the associated vascular complications have been a growing concern. Cardiovascular complications are neglected and are the leading causes of deaths in the diabetic population. Autonomic Imbalance (AI) is a bother complication of the diabetes mellitus, related to aggravated risk of morbidity as well as mortality. Nevertheless, there are not many studies assessing this relationship and there are no studies especially of rural setting, hence we have undertaken this study for assessing the need of this association from an Indian rural setting.
Methods: A detailed questionnaire including the socio-demographic details, anthropometric data, history, clinical examination, investigations performed, and treatment undergoing was gathered from each patient. Special attention was extended for identifying the cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, alcohol intake or smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), Heart rate, etc.
Results: Autonomic Imbalance have been studied among the 158 diabetic patients, of which the mean age was 58 years, with male preponderance of around 58%. Good Glycaemic control was observed in one-fourth (40 patients) and 102 out of 158 of the study participants (type 2 diabetics) were hypertensives.The prevalence of autonomic imbalance identified using tests for autonomic function ranges from 50-70%, where the diagnosis of autonomic imbalance is achieved based on the outcomes of multiple autonomic tests with various components instead of a single test. The prevalence of autonomic neuropathy was on the rise as people got older.
Conclusions: Screening for autonomic function and the patient education could be the key factors among the patients with autonomic imbalance in order to prevent devastating events further.