Investigators noted major ECG abnormalities in 13% of over 8,000 unselected patients with type 2 diabetes in a community-based Dutch cohort. There was a 9% prevalence of major abnormality in the subgroup of these patients without identified cardiovascular disease (CVD). It was noted that minor ECG abnormalities were even more common.

The study obtained data from 8,068 patients with type 2 diabetes, enroled in the prospective Hoorn Diabetes Care System cohort. Major abnormality was noted in 13%, while 16% had a minor abnormality. The most common types of abnormalities included ventricular conduction defects (14%) and arrhythmias (11%). In the subgroup of patients with no history of CVD, 9% were found to have a major abnormality while 15% had a minor abnormality. The findings are published in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications… (Medscape)