Cardiovascular and Respiratory Measures in Adults With Early-onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Compared With Matched Controls

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare cardiac and respiratory function at rest in participants with early-onset type 2 diabetes and a control group without diabetes, matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods: This study included 18 participants with early-onset type 2 diabetes (12 men and 6 women, age 34.9±6 years, diabetes duration 3.1±3.0 years) and 14 control participants without diabetes, matched for age, sex, and BMI (9 men and 5 women, age 32.9±5.2 years). Participants underwent resting echocardiography and pulmonary function tests. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glycated hemoglobin, glucose, C-reactive protein, insulin, free fatty acids, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide.

Results: Significant differences between groups were observed in left ventricular diastolic function at rest. Compared with controls, the group with early-onset type 2 diabetes had lower E/A (ratio between early [E] and late [A] ventricular filling velocity) (p=0.002), higher E/e' (representing left ventricular filling pressure) (p=0.017), lower e' (early myocardial relaxation velocity) (p<0.001), and lower diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (p=0.003).

Conclusions: Subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and lower lung diffusing capacity were detected in participants with early-onset type 2 diabetes when compared with matched controls.