Autonomic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients is associated with hyperinsulinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia

• Aims: To clarify whether parasympathetic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients is associated with features of the insulin resistance syndrome. Methods: Blood pressures, glycaemic control (HbA(IC)), plasma lipids, residual β-cell function (fasting plasma C-peptide), autonomic nerve function, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate (Cr-EDTA clearance) were evaluated in 82 Type 2 diabetic patients (age 61 ± 1 years) 5 years after diagnosis of diabetes. Results: Parasympathetic neuropathy (an abnormal age corrected E/I ratio) was found in 24/82 (29%) patients. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), patients with parasympathetic neuropathy had elevated fasting plasma C-peptide (P < 0.001) and triglyceride (Tg) (P < 0.05) levels compared with patients without parasympathetic neuropathy. In addition, the age corrected E/I ratio correlated inversely with Tg (r = -0.31; P < 0.01) and fasting plasma C-peptide (r = -0.32; P < 0.01) in the Type 2 diabetic patients. Conclusion: Autonomic neuropathy 5 years after diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is associated with an unfavourable metabolic risk profile.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Autonomic neuropathy

Complications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)