Key result
Severe albuminuria is linked to ~40 ms longer QTc interval compared to lower levels.
Why the study?
QTc interval prolongation is a potential cardiovascular risk marker in T2DM, but its association with albuminuria severity as an early renal involvement marker needed evaluation.
Is QTc interval prolongation associated with albuminuria severity in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
No
Is QTc interval prolongation associated with albuminuria severity in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
Mean Difference: 40.38
Absolute Event Rate: 491.97% vs 451.59%
p-value: p=0.020
QTc interval prolongation correlates with worsening albuminuria and poor glycemic control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, suggesting routine ECG assessment may help identify patients at increased risk for progressive microvascular and autonomic complications.
Should not yet change practice in type 2 diabetes; hypothesis-generating for combined microvascular-cardiac risk.
Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with multiple microvascular complications, including diabetic nephropathy and cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval has emerged as a potential marker of cardiovascular risk, while albuminuria reflects early renal involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the association between QTc interval prolongation and albuminuria severity in patients with T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 100 patients with T2DM attending a tertiary care hospital. Clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and 12-lead electrocardiography were performed. Participants were categorized according to diabetes duration and UACR levels. Statistical analysis included independent Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 60.12±12.14 years, and 62% were females. Diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy were present in 66% and 63% of patients, respectively. Patients with diabetes duration ≥5 years had significantly higher UACR (141.28±75.40 vs. 100.33±64.41 mg/g; p=0.004), QT interval (384.22 ± 44.66 vs. 349.96 ± 43.58 ms; p=0.019), and QTc interval (489.29 ± 51.40 vs. 454.98 ± 50.51 ms; p=0.024) compared to those with shorter disease duration. A significant increase in HbA1c (p=0.005) and QTc interval (p=0.013) was observed across increasing UACR categories, indicating a dose-dependent relationship between albuminuria severity and cardiac repolarization abnormalities. Conclusion: QTc interval prolongation is significantly associated with increasing albuminuria severity, poor glycemic control, and longer diabetes duration. QTc assessment may serve as a simple, non-invasive marker for identifying T2DM patients at increased risk of microvascular and cardiovascular complications.
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Sahil et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=100). Severe albuminuria (UACR >200 mg/g) vs. Mild albuminuria (UACR <100 mg/g) was evaluated on QTc interval (MD 40.38, p=0.020). Severe albuminuria (UACR >200 mg/g) was significantly associated with a 40.38 ms prolongation in the QTc interval compared to patients with UACR <100 mg/g.
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