Malnutrition a risk factor for myocardial infarction in patients with type-2 diabetes

Objective To observe the relationship between malnutrition and Myocardial Infarction (MI) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods This cross sectional comparative study was carried out among the population of Southern Sindh, Pakistan. The blood samples were collected from MI patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 samples were collected as control from the same age and gender. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio level were used as a parameter of visceral protein stores. Fat stores were assessed from body fat and total plasma homocystein level was assessed for the deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folic acid. Patients having body mass index (BMI) less then 20 kg m(-2) were considered as malnourished Results Out of total of 70 patients, 48 were male and 22 were female. Age ranged from 45 to 60 years. BMI in controls was significantly higher (22.9 +/- 4.1 SD) as compared to patients (18.2 +/- 3.7 SD). Protein and homocystein levels also revealed significantly high values in controls then patients. Conclusion This seems to be a relationship between malnutrition and an increased risk of MI in patients with type 2 diabetes.