Examining Cold-Related Cardiorespiratory Symptoms in T2D

This article is part of Endocrinology Advisor’s coverage of the 53rd European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting taking place in Lisbon, Portugal. Check back regularly for more news on the latest clinical research in bone health from EASD 2017.

Glycemic status correlates to more frequent and worse cold-related cardiorespiratory symptoms, according to research presented at the 53rd Annual European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting, held September 11-15 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Data from 2002 and 2007 FINRISK cold substudies, which included 2436 men and 2708 women (age 45-74), were examined for a cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence of cold-related cardiorespiratory symptoms in participants, based on glycemic status.

Study investigators used a questionnaire to assess respiratory, cardiac, and peripheral circulation symptoms; fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance tests, or reported diabetes diagnosis were used to determine glycemic status. Participants were divided into 1 of 5 groups: normal glucose metabolism, impaired fasting blood glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, screen-detected type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.

Participants in the type 2 diabetes group had increased odds for cold-related dyspnea, chest pain, and respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratios [aOR]: 1.72, 2.10, and 1.85, respectively); those with screened type 2 diabetes had increased aORs for cold-related dyspnea, cough, and cardiac symptoms (1.36, 1.41, and 1.51, respectively). As glycemic status worsened, odds increased for both cardiac and respiratory symptoms (1.11 to 1.99 for cardiac symptoms and 1.14 to 1.84 for respiratory symptoms; P =.000 for both).

“These [symptoms] are reported increasingly with worsening glycemic status,” the researchers concluded. “Health care personnel may utilize this information for providing appropriate advice for health risk management in cold conditions.”

Reference

Ikäheimo TM, Jokelainen J, Hassi J, et al. Diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism is associated with more cold-related cardiorespiratory symptoms. Presented at: 53rd European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting; September 11-15, 2017; Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract 361.