Study of Corrected QT Interval during Hypoglycemic Episodes in Diabetes Mellitus Subjects in a Tertiary Care Hospital Mysuru

Background: Diabetes-related deaths frequently stem from cardiovascular issues, with diabetics facing higher QTc prolongation and a 2–10 fold increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Hypoglycemia, a severe diabetes complication, is linked to QT interval prolongation, heightening arrhythmia and mortality risks. This study will evaluate QTc during hypoglycemia in diabetic patients and its correlation with blood sugar levels and hypoglycemia severity. Objectives: 1. To Study corrected QT interval during hypoglycemic episodes in diabetes mellitus subjects. 2. To Correlate QTc interval in relation to in-hospital mortality. Materials and Methods: This study involved 80 diabetic patients admitted with severe hypoglycemia at K.R. Hospital, Mysuru. ECGs were recorded during hypoglycemic episodes, and QTc was calculated using the Bazett formula. Data were analyzed based on sex, type of diabetes, duration of diabetes, severity of hypoglycemia, and electrolyte levels. Results: Out of 80 subjects, 55% were male, and 45% were female; 16.3% had Type 1 diabetes and 83.8% had Type 2 diabetes. QTc prolongation was significantly more common in females with severe hypoglycemia (RBS <54 mg/dL) compared to less severe cases (RBS <70 mg/dL). However, no significant association was found between QTc and RBS levels among male subjects. Mortality rates were higher in the severe hypoglycemia group. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study shows that diabetic patients experiencing hypoglycemia have a significantly prolonged QTc interval. Additionally, the extent of QTc prolongation correlates with hypoglycemia severity, and a significantly prolonged mean QTc interval is observed in cases of in-hospital mortality.