Autonomic Function Tests Not Affected by Obesity in Diabetic P

Researchers found no difference on autonomic function tests among normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes Obesity is not a confounding factor in testing diabetes mellitus patients for cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, and does not effect the reproducibility of autonomic function tests.

Those tests are important for both the obese and non-obese because of the association of reduced respiratory rates (RR)-variation with intolerance to exercise, intraoperative cardiovascular lability and increased risk of death say Raelene E. Maser, PhD, and a colleague at the Christiana Care Health Services, Newark, Delaware, United States.

Researchers found no difference on autonomic function tests among normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Normal weight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25kg/m² or less; overweight was defined as BMI of 25.01-30kg/m²; obese was defined as BMI of 30.01-40kg/m²; and morbidly obese was defined as BMI 40.1kg/m² or greater.

One hundred and fifty-nine patients took part in this cross-sectional study which used autonomic function tests, including RR-variation during deep breathing and the Valsalva ratio. The ANS2000 ECG Monitor and Respiration Pacer were used to assess these tests and vector analysis (i.e. mean circular resultant, MCR) was used to measure RR-variation.

Assessment of the reproducibility of the autonomic function tests was made by determining the coefficient of variation (CV) on repeat testing.
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, March 2002, 4 (2);113-117.