Time domain measures of heart rate variability during acute mental stress in Type 2 diabetics- A case control study

Background: Cardiovascular Autonomic Diabetic Neuropathy (CADN) is one of the most important diabetes- associated complications. Reduced heart rate variation (HRV) is the earliest indicator of CADN. The prospect of using time domain analysis of HRV using mental arithmetic as a stressor has for early diagnosis of CADN has not been studied so far. Aims & Objective: To compare time domain parameters of HRV at rest and during acute mental stress between Type 2 diabetics and non- diabetics. Materials and Methods: 30 male asymptomatic, Type 2 diabetics with duration of diabetes of 2-8 yrs with RBS ≥ 200 mg/dl or FBS ≥ 126 mg/dl in the age group of 30-65 yrs were chosen as subjects. 30 age and sex matched healthy non-diabetics were chosen as controls. HRV analysis was done using ECG recorded at rest in supine position for 5 min and during 5 min of acute mental stress testing. Results: At rest standard deviation of all R-R intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive RR- interval differences (RMSSD), number of intervals differing by > 50ms from adjacent interval (NN50) and percentage of NN50 (pNN50) were significantly less in diabetics as compared to non- diabetics. Mental stress showed increases in HR, SBP and DBP in non-diabetics as well as diabetics but SDNN was significantly less in diabetics as compared to non- diabetics during stress. Conclusion: Data from the study demonstrated that diabetics with 8-10 yrs history had already developed parasympathetic autonomic neuropathy. Time domain analysis of HRV during mental stress can be used as a valuable tool for early diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy to prevent further complications. [Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2014; 4(1.000): 34-38]