Relationship Between Left Atrial Strain and Malnutrition Scores in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Malnutrition is a serious public health problem that is associated with adverse outcomes in a broad range of disease including cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Malnutrition is demonstrated to be accompanying to several disease, yet there is a lack of evidence on the impact of malnutrition on cardiac functions in patients with diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy. Herewith our primary goal was to evaluate the relation between any degree malnutrition with left atrial strain in relevant patient group. Patients and Methods: Patients with diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, who were referred to the outpatient cardiology clinic were assessed. Those who had sinus rhythm, had no findings of significant valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease underwent to 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and assessed for malnutrition in their prior examinations were included to the study. Hundred and seventy patients met the inclusion criteria. Malnutrition scores such as CONUT score, NRI, and PNI were used to evaluate nutrition condition of the patients. Results: Thirty percent of all diabetic patients were demonstrated to have malnutrition according to the CONUT score. Left atrial conduit strain was demonstrated to decrease [ß: -7.5 (CI 95%, -10.7, -4.3 p<0.001)], Left atrial reservoir strain was demonstrated to increase [ß: 2.48(CI 95%,0.83- 4.13 p<0.03)] and Left atrial contractile strain was demonstrated to decrease [ß: -4.21(CI 95%, -2.21, -6.01 p<0.001)] in the presence of any degree malnutrition. Conclusion: In this study we have demonstrated that malnutrition is an important entity in patients with diabetes mellitus and also has a significant impact on Left atrial strain.