Comparison of heart rate variability and classical autonomic function tests between type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy volunteers

Heart rate variability is one of the diagnostic tests to assess the autonomic dysfunction in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. To compare the heart rate variability (HRV) and classical autonomic function tests between type 2 DM and healthy volunteers. This study was conducted in 30 type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients and 30 healthy volunteers. Average age of diabetic patients was 48.53±5.12 (mean ± SD) and that of volunteers was 47.10±3.59 (mean ± SD). ECG recording was done in supine position for 5 minutes in computerized physiography. HRV analysis was done using Finland software. Classical autonomic function parameters such as deep breathing difference test, heart rate and blood pressure response to hand grip dynamometer test and valsalva ratio test were recorded in them. Statistical analysis was done using student’s t-test. HRV showed statistically significant impairment between cases and controls (p<0.05). Classical autonomic function test showed statistically very significant impairment between cases and controls (p<0.0001). HRV and Classical autonomic function tests reveals autonomic impairment in Type 2 DM, but classical autonomic function test findings showed very significant (P<0.0001) impairment than HRV analysis (P<0.05). So this study showed autonomic function tests are superior to HRV analysis.