Cardiovascular Autonomic Function and Vibration Perception Threshold in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare cardiovascular autonomic function tests (AFT) and vibration perception threshold (VPT) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with controls.

Research Design/methods: The study was conducted on 60 diabetic patients comparing with 30 controls. The cardiovascular AFT and VPT were assessed in both groups.

Results: Among cardiovascular AFT, E:I ratio [1.24 (1.2-1.32) vs 1.3 (1.24-1.4), p=0.001], and Valsalva ratio [1.28 (1.22-1.4) vs 1.6 (1.5-1.73), p=0.001], the indicators of parasympathetic reactivity were reduced in T2DM. Rise in DBP during handgrip, an indicator of sympathetic reactivity was lower in T2DM [12 (10-14) vs 16 (14-18) mmHg, p=0.001] whereas, fall in SBP during head up tilt [4 (4-8) vs 5 (4-8) mmHg] was comparable. VPT (somatic sensation) was comparable between T2DM and control.

Conclusion: Autonomic involvement is more marked than somatic, and parasympathetic involvement is more marked than the sympathetic, possibly reflecting severity and chronological pattern of their involvement.