The association between prolactin and myocardial function in type 2 diabetes

Prolactin has been associated with cardiovascular mortality. The primary objective was to assess the association between prolactin and systolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Secondly, to assess the association between prolactin and diastolic function, NYHA classification, glucose, and lipid levels.

A cross-sectional study of the Thousand&2 cohort, including 1,030 individuals with type 2 diabetes from secondary care. Echocardiography and biochemical assessment were performed at baseline. Systolic function was estimated primarily as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), secondly as global longitudinal strain (GLS), and E/e' as a marker of diastolic function. The association between echocardiography and prolactin was assessed using linear regression, presented with crude as well as adjusted estimates for potential confounders.

Prolactin assessments were available for 937/1030 (91%), and 14/937 (1.5%) individuals had prolactin levels above the upper reference limit. Prolactin was not associated with LVEF or GLS, whereas prolactin was associated with E/e' and NYHA classification in fully adjusted analysis in men but not in women. Prolactin was not associated with glucose or lipid levels in men or women.

Prolactin was not associated with impaired systolic function in men or women with type 2 diabetes; on the other hand, prolactin was associated with poorer diastolic function in men with type 2 diabetes. The current results point towards a gender specific effect of prolactin on the diastolic function of the heart.