[Early cardiac remodeling in short-duration T2DM: Benchmarking 85 cases against norms in an Algerian population]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2026
Modeling and Evaluation of Murine Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Model
Published on: November 29, 2024
C Zemit1, A Lounici1, E Tabti1
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Center of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algérie; Laboratory of Research on Diabetes (LAREDIAB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algérie.
Background:
Diabetic cardiomyopathy is traditionally viewed as a late complication of chronic hyperglycemia, but emerging evidence suggests it may manifest early in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), preceding prolonged metabolic exposure.
Objective:
To determine whether early cardiac remodeling markers, particularly diastolic dysfunction, are already present in patients with short-duration T2DM (< 5 years).
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 86 T2DM patients at a university hospital in an Algerian population (2024). Echocardiography was performed using a GE Vivid E95 system. Diastolic dysfunction was defined using ASE/EACVI criteria. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors.
Results:
Diastolic dysfunction was present in 20% (17/86) of patients despite recent disease onset. The study population had a mean diabetes duration of 1.8±2.0 years, mean age of 54.7±8.9 years, and mean HbA1c of 8.9±0.27%. Hypertension was present in 35.3% (30/86) of patients, and obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2) in 29.5% (25/86). Impaired myocardial relaxation was widespread: lateral e'<10cm/s in 49.4%, septal e'<7cm/s in 24.4%, and elevated E/e' in 29.1%. Contrary to traditional assumptions, dysfunction was not significantly different between well-controlled (HbA1c<7%) and poorly controlled patients (27.3 vs. 17.2%, P=0.356). Systolic blood pressure was the only independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction (OR 1.07 per mmHg, 95% CI 1.02-1.13, P=0.008). Neither HbA1c (P=0.324) nor diabetes duration (P=0.863) showed significant associations.
Conclusion:
Early cardiac remodeling occurs frequently in short-duration T2DM, independent of glycemic control and disease chronicity. This challenges the traditional view that diabetic cardiomyopathy requires prolonged hyperglycemia. Systolic blood pressure is the sole predictor, suggesting mechanisms beyond metabolic control alone. Systematic echocardiographic screening at T2DM diagnosis may be warranted to detect subclinical dysfunction and prevent progression to heart failure.