Cardiovascular sympathetic functional status of controlled type II diabetes mellitus

Objective: The blood pressure responses to standing and sustained handgrip were studied in cases and controls. Background: The cardiovascular sympathetic functional status can be assessed by using simple tests; effective for diagnosis of early cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Material and Method: The cardiovascular sympathetic function tests have been conducted in 40 cases of controlled type II diabetes mellitus and 40 controls, aged between 30-50 years, including both sexes. Result and Discussion: Cases showed significantly decreased response of systolic and diastolic blood pressure to standing and to sustained handgrip. The responses in cases were significantly correlated to age and duration of DM, but not to BMI; signifying that autonomic dysfunction occurs in Diabetes Mellitus and progresses with the duration of the disease and the age.