Older, minority patients with type 2 diabetes at increased risk for HF

The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting

Undiagnosed heart failure is common among minority, older aged patients with type 2 diabetes — particularly diastolic dysfunction.

In a cross-sectional study, researchers assessed the prevalence and characteristics of undiagnosed HF in 156 minority patients with type 2 diabetes (60% female; mean age, 58 years). The majority of patients were Hispanic (65.3%) and 30.1% were black.

The researchers conducted the study because of the unknown prevalence of undiagnosed HF in minorities with diabetes.

Undiagnosed systolic dysfunction occurred in 6% of the cohort vs. 40% of the cohort with identified systolic dysfunction. The mean systolic blood pressure of the cohort was 129.99 mm Hg.

In addition, patients with HF were more likely to be older. Those with HF were a mean age of about 62 years compared with about 57 years among those without HF (P=.014). This finding makes other patients with type 2 diabetes “a proper targeted population for early diagnostic testing,” the researchers concluded.

The risk for HF was not significantly affected by BMI, blood pressure, HbA1c, duration of diabetes, lipids, gender or race.

Cohort Characteristics (mean value)

BMI	31.9 kg
Systolic BP	129.99 mmHg
Diastolic BP	74 mmHg
HbA1c	8%
LDL	95.5 mg/dL
Creatinine	1.04 mg/dL

For more information:

Somuri S. #P1-491. Presented at: The Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting; June 10-13, 2009, Washington, D.C.