The ECG Change in QRS Complex-A Tool for Evaluation of Heart Disease in Asymptomatic Type II Diabetics

The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus is associated with long term damage, dysfunction and failure of various organs especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are found to be predictors of silent ischemia in asymptomatic persons.

The purpose of this study is, to detect & compare the electrocardiographic changes (QRS complex) in asymptomatic type II diabetics & controls.

Fifty type II DM cases aged between 30–55 years and minimum of fifty age and sex matched controls for each group were selected from the general population satisfying the inclusion criteria.

There was statistically highly significant increase in QRS duration among type II Diabetics when compared to controls (p< 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in QRS axis between type II DM cases and controls (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in QRS amplitude among type II diabetics when compared to controls (p > 0.05).

The prolonged QRS complex can be considered as the evidence that the heart of diabetic patients is damaged by cardiomyopathy. Hence the screening of diabetics for electrocardiographic abnormalities is strongly recommended at the time of diagnosis for proper interventions & to prevent complications at the earliest.