The frequency and pattern of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 2 DM patients in a diabetic clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency, pattern and grades of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 2 diabetic patients in a diabetes mellitus (DM) clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional study of seventy (70) type 2 diabetic patients attending a DM clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria was carried out. Cardiac autonomic function was determined using a battery of 5 noninvasive tests which include; Heart rate response (HRR) to Valsalva manoeuvre, HRR to deep breathing, HRR to standing, Resting heart rate, and Blood pressure (BP) response to standing. RESULTS: The frequency of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 2 diabetic patients was 44.3%. Resting tachycardia was the most specific, HRR to Valsalva manoeuvre was most sensitive while BP response to standing had the best positive predictive value in detecting cardiac autonomic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a common complication in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients seen at Enugu. It is therefore recommended that tonomic function tests be part of the standard care of type 2 diabetic patients and appropriate management instituted for both primary and secondary prevention.