[Autonomic regulation of the circulatory system in early type I diabetes]

In the group of 16 men with controlled, type I diabetes lasting up to 24 months, simple tests for assessment of autonomic regulation of the circulatory system such as a deep breathing test, Valsalva's manoeuvre and a tilt trial have been performed. Variations of systolic and diastolic blood pressures as well as heart rate have been studied. The control group consisted of 22 young, healthy men. Rest heart rate has been significantly increased prior the all tests but its alterations during deep breathing have been significantly decreased in diabetics (EM index mean = 1.44 vs 1.74 in the control group; p less than 0.01). Also Valsalva's index has been significantly increased in them (1.67 vs 1.42; p less than 0.02). Significant reduction of a delay index at the early tilt test period has been stated in diabetics (1.31 vs 1.57; p less than 0.01) as well as significant lowering of diastolic blood pressure in 1st and 5th minute of a tilt test. Performed tests indicate that even short duration of diabetes changes the autonomic regulation of the circulatory system due to inequality of para- and sympathetic system tones and/or the early autonomic neuropathy.