CARDIAC REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

• Main Authors: Marzieh Saeidi, Katayun Rabiei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vesnu Publications 2010-12-01
• Series: ARYA Atherosclerosis
• Online Access: http://arya.mui.ac.ir/index.php/arya/article/view/181

<p>Abstract<br />INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is 19.4% in Iran and<br />diabetes mellitus is an important CVD risk factor in this country. Non-insulin-dependent<br />diabetes mellitus (type II DM) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to<br />atherosclerosis. With cardiac rehabilitation (CR) we can modify CVD risk factors such as<br />type II DM and play an important role in decreasing its mortality and morbidity. We<br />investigated the effects of CR on cardiac patients with and without type II DM.<br />METHODS: In this retrospective before-and-after study we analyzed data from 496 cardiac<br />patients (419 with type II DM and 77 without type II DM). All of the subjects completed<br />demographic data questionnaires and underwent weight and height measurement, exercise<br />test to assess exercise capacity (EC), echocardiography, and blood test to assess lipid<br />profile and fasting blood glucose. The subjects then participated in a 24-session CR<br />program. Each session consisted of 10 minutes warm-up, 40 minutes aerobic exercise, 10<br />minutes cool-down and 20 minutes relaxation. They also took part in 8 educational sessions<br />on life style modification, diet therapy and stress management supervised by CR team (a<br />cardiologist, a physician, a physiotherapist, a nurse, a nutritionist and a psychiatrist). At the<br />end of the program, all measurements, exams and tests were repeated. Data were analyzed<br />with SPSS11.5 using independent t-test at level of P&lt;0.05.<br />RESULTS: We studied 419 non-diabetics (mean age: 55.61&plusmn;9.41 years) and 77 diabetics<br />(mean age: 58.59&plusmn;7.76 years). Mean EC increased significantly after CR in both groups. In<br />the diabetic group, EC increased significantly compared to the non-diabetic group<br />(62.21&plusmn;133.40 vs. 33.68&plusmn;31/42, P=0.02). Mean levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDLcholesterol,<br />as well as body mass index and heart rate decreased significantly after CR in<br />both groups. However, no significant difference was seen between the two groups in respect<br />of these variables.<br />DISCUSSION: CR is an effective intervention in diabetics as well as non-diabetics<br />especially given its remarkable effects in improving EC as a critical indicator of mortality and<br />morbidity of diabetic patients. Hence we suggest these patients undergo CR programs.</p><p>Keywords &bull; Cardiac rehabilitation &bull; Exercise capacity &bull; Diabetes mellitus &bull;Cardiovascular<br />risk factors</p>