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Increased prevalence of infectious endocarditis in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Mohammad Reza Movahed1, Mehrtash Hashemzadeh, M Mazen Jamal

  • 1Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. rmova@aol.com

Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
|October 31, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) face a higher risk of infectious endocarditis (IE). This study found DM independently associated with IE, even after accounting for other health conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases infection risk, but its link to infectious endocarditis (IE) is debated.
  • Previous reports on DM and IE association are controversial.
  • This study aimed to clarify the occurrence of IE in DM patients compared to a matched control group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of infectious endocarditis (IE) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).
  • To compare IE occurrence in DM patients versus a control group without DM.
  • To determine if DM is an independent risk factor for IE.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of inpatient discharge diagnosis codes (ICD-9) from Veterans Health Administration hospitals.
  • Comparison between a large cohort of DM patients (n=293,124) and a control group with hypertension but no DM (n=552,623).
  • Multivariate analysis adjusted for renal failure and valvular disease; statistical tests included unpaired t tests, chi-square, and Fisher's Exact Tests.

Main Results:

  • Infectious endocarditis (IE) was more prevalent in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (0.5%) compared to controls (0.3%), a 40% relative increase.
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed DM as an independent risk factor for IE (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.8-2.1; P<.0001).
  • The association remained significant after adjusting for renal failure and valvular abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • Type II diabetes mellitus is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of infectious endocarditis.
  • This increased risk of IE in DM patients is independent of renal failure or valvular abnormalities.
  • Findings suggest enhanced vulnerability of diabetic patients to infections like IE.

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