Glycemic variability is associated with diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between glycemic variability (GV) and diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) without coronary artery disease.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with type 2 DM without coronary artery disease were enrolled into the study. Diastolic function was assessed by echocardiography (Philips IE33); GV was evaluated by continuous monitoring of glucose (CGM, Guardian™ Connect System, Medtronic). According to the GV all studied patients were divided into two groups: group I - standard deviation (SD) > 2 (high GV), n = 40; group II - SD ≤ 1.9 (normal GV), n = 38.

Results: Group I were older (49±9 vs 46±5; p<0.05), with a longer duration of DM (10±9.5 vs 6±5.5; p<0.01). Patients in group I had more severe diastolic dysfunction which was characterized by an increased values of myocardial stiffness index (E/e' ratio), speed of early transmitral flow (E, sm/sec) and peak rate of tricuspid regurgitation (V max TR, m/sec). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that high GV and older age of patients were the only significant independent predictors for diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusions: Increased GV is associated with diastolic dysfunction and could predispose to development and progression of heart failure in patients with type 2 DM without coronary arteries disease.