Renal involvement and left ventricular hypertrophy are novel risk factors for morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus and its complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Traditionally hypertension and poor diabetic control have been considered to be major risk factors for the development of cardiac involvement. This review will examine two novel risk factors, namely renal involvement and left ventricular hypertrophy. Renal involvement is manifested by increased excretion of protein in the urine and/or decreasing renal function. Several large studies have shown that both these factors are significant risk factors for cardiac involvement and increased mortality both in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. There is strong evidence to suggest an association between renal and cardiac involvement. Cardiac hypertrophy is an important risk factor for the development of cardiac involvement. It is generally assumed that ventricular hypertrophy is a result of hypertension. However, it has been shown to be associated with metabolic disorders such as central obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, even in the absence of hypertension. The prevalence of ventricular hypertrophy is increased in patients with diabetes mellitus, especially in the presence of renal involvement. Diabetic patients with renal involvement and cardiac hypertrophy have also been shown to have an increased risk for developing cardiac complications and having an increased mortality rate. Thus these two risk factors are important in the prognosis of the diabetic patient. Follow-up of the diabetic patient should include careful examination for the presence of proteinuria, reduced renal function and left ventricular hypertrophy in the hope that treatment of these factors may reduce morbidity and mortality.