Echocardiographic Findings in Saudi Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Jazan Region

Background and aim Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with structural changes in the heart and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite being a common health issue in Saudi Arabia, studies focusing on echocardiographic findings among patients with diabetes in the Jazan region are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of echocardiographic abnormalities in adult patients with T2DM and identify the demographic and clinical risk factors associated with these abnormalities in the Jazan region. Methods This retrospective study included 168 adult patients with T2DM from two tertiary hospitals in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, who underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Demographic details and clinical history, including BMI, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and diabetes duration, were retrieved from patients' electronic medical records. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were used to determine the relationship between patient characteristics and echocardiographic findings. Results Overall, 85.12% of patients had cardiac abnormalities, with mitral regurgitation (40.5%), left ventricular hypertrophy (30.4%), and tricuspid regurgitation (27.4%) being the most prevalent findings. The prevalence was higher among male patients and those aged 41-60 years and >60 years. A diabetes duration of ≥10 years and poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7%) were associated with higher odds of cardiac abnormalities. Conclusions In Jazan, echocardiographic abnormalities are common among patients with T2DM. Although diabetes duration of ≥10 years and poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7%) showed significant crude associations, both remained independently associated with echocardiographic abnormalities in the multivariate model. Routine cardiac screening should be considered, regardless of age, sex, or BMI, as it may help identify and manage cardiac abnormalities.