Assessment of Electrocardiogram Abnormality and Associated Factors Among Apparently Healthy Adult Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Study

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders causing long-term damage to the cardiovascular system which remains asymptomatic among diabetic patients. An electrocardiograph is a simple and first-line tool in the screening of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To assess electrocardiogram abnormality and associated factors among apparently healthy adult type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, 2019.

Materials And Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 30, 2019, at Jimma Medical Center among selected type 2 diabetes patients. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study participants. The World Health Organization stepwise approach and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were employed to collect basic data. Resting Electrocardiography was done using a standard 12-lead electrocardiograph machine. The collected data were checked for completeness, coded, entered into the Epi-data Version 4.0.2. and exported to SPSS Version 21. Descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations were carried out. Binary and multiple logistic regression was done and a p value of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance.

Results: A total of 344 type 2 diabetes patients were interviewed and underwent electrocardiography making a 100% response rate. Electrocardiographic abnormality was identified among 209 (61%) of the respondents. Not attending formal education [AOR = 3.07, 95%, CI = 1.37-6.87], solid oil use, [AOR = 1.79, 95%, CI = 1.07-2.98], body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m [AOR = 2.74, 95%, CI = 1.67-4.50] and long duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years [AOR = 3.36, 95%, CI = 1.46-7.71] were associated with electrocardiogram abnormality.

Conclusions: and recommendation In this study, the majority (3/5th) of the participant had electrocardiogram abnormality. Not attending formal education, longer duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years, solid oil use, and increased body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m were independent predictors of electrocardiographic abnormality. Integrating electrocardiogram screening in routine diabetic management can pick cardiac complications of diabetes.