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:l 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 12DM [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 12DM 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. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.