1983 Volume 141 Issue Suppl Pages 465-469
The variation in R-R interval in ECG has been reported to decrease in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy. To investigate the diagnostic value of heart rate monitoring and the prevalence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, R-R interval variations (CVs) were measured, and the relationships between CV and MCV, FCV, SCV, retinopathy, nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and duration of diabetes were investigated. 70 diabetics aged 19_??_74 were studied. A total of 100 consecutive R-R intervals on ECG were analyzed by computer. 16 patients (22.8%) of 70 had one or more symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, while the prevalence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy indicated by abnormally low CV was 41.4%. Diabetics with retinopathy, nephropathy or peripheral neuropathy had significantly lower CVs than diabetics without these complications (p<0.01). The correlation coefficients for CV and duration of diabetes, and CV and SCV were -0.69 and 0.57 respectively (p<0.01). CV (%) of R-R interval was a useful parameter for the determination of diabetic autonomic neuropathy and our results showed that autonomic nerve damage was more prevalent than were symptoms of autonomic neuropathy.
