The Association Between Microalbuminuria and QTc Prolongation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Centre Study From South India

Background: One of the most significant complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Another important clinical marker in patients with type 2 diabetes is QTc interval prolongation. We aimed to study the association between QTc interval prolongation and microalbuminuria in patients with T2DM. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between QTc interval prolongation and microalbuminuria in patients with T2DM. The secondary objective was to correlate the prolongation of the QTc interval with the duration of T2DM. Materials and methods: This study was conducted as a single-centre, prospective, observational study in a tertiary-care centre in South India, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center. The study was conducted over two years, between April 2020 and April 2022. Patients aged more than 18 with T2DM with and without microalbuminuria were recruited into the study and control groups, and various parameters, including QTC intervals, were recorded. Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the study, with 60 patients with microalbuminuria forming the study group and 60 patients without microalbuminuria forming the control group. There was a statistically significant association between microalbuminuria with a prolonged QTc interval, hypertension, a longer duration of T2DM, higher haemoglobin AIc (HbA1c) levels, and higher serum creatinine values.