Incidence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy and its correlation with retinopathy, micro-albuminuria and glycated haemoglobin in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Forty non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM patients were subjected to bedside evaluation of cardiovascular autonomic reflexes. Autonomic neuropathy was detected in 23 patients (57.5%); orthostatic hypotension in 6 (15%), abnormal blood pressure response to sustained handgrip in 8 (20%), abnormal Valsalva ratio in 10 (25%), abnormal heart rate response to deep breathing in 12 (30%) and abnormal heart rate response to standing in 11 patients (27.5%). Incidence of parasympathetic neuropathy was 57.5% in comparison to 20% sympathetic neuropathy One abnormal cardiac reflex was seen in 6 (15%), 2 in 13 (32.5%) and 3 or more in 4 patients (10%). Raised glycated haemoglobin was seen in 17 patients,retinopathy in 3 and micro-albuminuria in 11 patients with autonomic dysfunction and in 13, 0 and 3 patients respectively in NIDDM patients without autonomic neuropathy. Positive correlation of cardiac autonomic neuropathy was seen with retinopathy and micro-albuminuria.