Clinical variables associated with non-dipping of nocturnal blood pressure in type 2 diabetes

Aim Non-dipping of nocturnal BP (blood pressure) is common in people with type 2 diabetes and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with nocturnal non-dipping of BP in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods Data were examined from 100 people with type 2 diabetes who had undergone ambulatory BP monitoring. Dippers were defined as those with a systolic night-time BP dip over 15%, and non-dippers as those with a systolic night-time BP dip of under 5%. Results There was no significant difference between the mean awake systolic BP in the dipping (142.9 mmHg) and the non-dipping (142.0 mmHg) groups (p=0.77). Non-dippers were significantly older (p<0.0001) with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (p=0.003) and of macrovascular disease (p=0.008) when compared with the dipping group. After adjustment for age, albuminuria remained more prevalent within the non-dipping group (p=0.007). There was no significant difference in glycaemic control, type of diabetes treatment, smoking status, or gender between the groups. Conclusion Albuminuria is strongly associated with non-dipping of nocturnal BP in people with type 2 diabetes.