Pattern of Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Out-patients at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases rank among the major causes of diabetes-associated morbidity and mortality and are early markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Electrocardiogram (ECG) remains a relevant diagnostic tool for cardiac abnormalities. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of electrocardiographic abnormalities in asymptomatic T2DM out-patients at NAUTH, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that evaluated 136 T2DM out-patients seen at diabetes clinic. Relevant data was extracted with a researcher-structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were done. A 12-lead non-stress ECG and laboratory tests were done. ECG was interpreted based on the Minnesota Codes for Resting Electrocardiograms. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Categorical data were analyzed and compared using Chi-square test: results presented in frequencies and percentages. The mean values of continuous variables were calculated and compared between groups using Students t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: 128 T2DM subjects with complete data were analyzed: 63 (49.2%) males and 65 (50.8%) females. The mean age was 58.43 ± 12.85. Q-wave abnormality occurred in 4.7%, QRS abnormality in 21.9%, left ventricular hypertrophy in 10.2%, T-wave abnormality in 21.9%, ST segment abnormality in 3.9%, atrioventricular (AV) block in 0.8%, bundle branch block (BBB) in 4.7%, sinus rhythm abnormality in 22.7%, atrial enlargement in 21.1% and coronary artery disease was seen in 23.4% of the participants. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of abnormal ECG findings that depicted a high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in T2DM subjects