The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy associated with type-2 diabetes in Shiraz, Iran: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is commonly diagnosed in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Its prevalence is notably higher among individuals with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), high blood pressure, and older age, and it is linked to an increased risk of future cardiac events, including stroke. This study aims to determine the prevalence of LVH among T2DM patients in Shiraz, Iran, and evaluate its association with CVD-related risk factors. This research is novel, as no prior epidemiological studies have examined the relationship between LVH and T2DM in this population.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from 7,715 individuals in the Shiraz Cohort Heart Study (SCHS), collected from 2015 to 2021, focusing on participants aged 40–70 years. Out of 1,118 identified T2DM subjects, 595 met the inclusion criteria after applying exclusion criteria. Electrocardiography (ECG) results were used to assess the presence of LVH. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS to ensure the consistency and validity of the findings.

Results: The prevalence of diabetes among participants was 14.5%. Hypertension was present in 37.8% of subjects aged 40–70 years. Among T2DM patients, the prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in those with LVH compared to those without (53.7% vs. 33.7%). The overall prevalence of LVH in the T2DM cohort was 20.7%. Significant associations were found between LVH and variables such as age (≥60 years, P<0.0001), history of hypertension (P<0.0001), duration of hypertension (P<0.0160), controlled vs. uncontrolled hypertension (P<0.0120), systolic blood pressure (P<0.0001), duration of T2DM (P<0.0001 and P<0.0060), and fasting blood sugar levels (P<0.0307). No significant associations were observed for gender (P=0.3112), diastolic blood pressure (P=0.7722), or body mass index (P=0.2888 and P=0.4080).

Conclusion: The study reveals a significant prevalence of LVH among T2DM patients, particularly those with hypertension, older age, longer duration of hypertension and diabetes, and higher fasting blood sugar levels. These findings highlight the importance of ECG evaluations for LVH in T2DM patients to mitigate the risk of future complications through appropriate risk factor modifications and treatment guidelines.