Association between coefficients of variation of the R‐R intervals on electrocardiograms and post‐challenge hyperglycemia in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

The aim of the present study was to examine whether there is a relationship between autonomic function and post‐challenge hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Subjects included 122 Japanese patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Autonomic nerve function was assessed using coefficients of variation of the R‐R intervals on electrocardiograms (CVRR). Unlike anthropometry, insulin secretion and insulin resistance, age (r = −0.209, P < 0.021) and post‐challenge plasma glucose at 120 min (PG120; r = −0.219, P < 0.015) were the only variables significantly correlated with CVRR. Age was not significantly correlated with PG120. In multiple regression analyses, CVRR Z‐score, but not age, was significantly correlated with PG120. The present results suggest that autonomic function affects post‐challenge blood glucose levels independently of age. (J Diabetes Invest,doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00098.x, 2011)