GENDER DIFFERENCES IN LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN NORMOTENSIVE TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective:To determine the pattern and severity of left ventricular diastolic
dysfunction in normotensive type 2 diabetic males and females patients.

Methodology:This descriptive study was performed in Department of
Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from March 2007 to February
2008. Total of 60 patients were enrolled. Glycemic status was defined on the
basis of HbA1c level. Detailed history and physical examination was performed
on every patient. Exercise tolerance test was performed on every patient to
exclude major ischemia. Echocardiography was performed in left lateral position.
Main outcome measure was left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Results: We enrolled 60 normotesive type 2 diabetic patients in the study that
fulfills the inclusion criteria. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was found in
50% (30/60). There were 12 males (40%) and 18 females (60%) among subjects
presenting with diastolic dysfunction. In male gender impaired relaxation was
found in 75% (9 males) and in female gender it was found in 66.6% (12 females)
(p=0.58). Pseudonormal pattern was found in 25% in male gender (3 males) and
in 33.3% in female gender {6 females} (p=0.003). Males subjects with diastolic
dysfunction the mean age were 54±8.8 and mean age of females' subject were
60±13.2 (p=0.17).

Conclusion: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is more common in female
gender and is more severly impaired in female gender than in male gender.