Prediction of Mortality Using Measures of Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in the Diabetic and Nondiabetic Population The MONICA/KORA Augsburg Cohort Study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate whether reduced heart rate variability (HRV), prolonged QTc interval, or increased QT dispersion (QTD) are predictors of mortality in the general diabetic and nondiabetic population.

Research Design and Methods: Nondiabetic (n=1560) and diabetic (n=160) subjects aged 55–74 years were assessed to determine whether reduced HRV, prolonged QTc interval, and increased QTD may predict all-cause mortality. Lowest quartiles for the max-min R-R interval difference (max-min) as measured from a 20 second standard 12-lead ECG without controlling for depth and rate of respiration, QT_c>440ms, and QTD>60ms determined from 12-lead resting ECG at baseline were used as cutpoints.

Results: During a 9-year follow-up, 10.5% of the nondiabetic and 30.6% of the diabetic population deceased. In the nondiabetic individuals, multivariate Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and demographic variables showed that prolonged QT_c interval (hazard ratio [95% CI]: 2.02[1.29-3.17]; p=0.002), but not low max-min (0.93[0.65-1.34]; p=0.700) and increased QTD (0.98[0.60-1.60]; p=0.939) were associated with increased mortality. In the diabetic subjects, prolonged QTc was also a predictor of mortality (3.00[1.34-6.71]; p=0.007), while a trend for an increased risk was noted in those with low max-min (1.74[0.95-3.18]; p=0.075), whereas increased QTD did not predict mortality (0.42[0.06-3.16]; p=0.402).

Conclusions: Prolonged QT_c interval, but not increased QT dispersion, is an independent predictor of a 2-fold and 3-fold increased risk of mortality in the nondiabetic and diabetic elderly general population, respectively. Low HRV during spontaneous breathing tends to be associated with excess mortality in the diabetic but not nondiabetic population.