Correlation between QT correction interval and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes patients

Objective To determine whether there is a certain correlation between QT correction interval (QTc) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Clinical data about 549 patients with type 2 diabetes in the department of gastroenterology and endocrinology in our hospital from July 2017 to June 2018 were selected for retrospective analysis. QTc interval＞ 440 ms was defined as QTc⁺. QTc interval≤ 440 ms was defined as QTc^-. Factors that might affect QTc interval, such as gender, heart rate, red blood cells, hemoglobin, etc., were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results Male (OR=0.028, 95%CI, 0.116-0.448, P＜ 0.001) and elevated red blood cell (OR=0.231, 95%CI, 0.081-0.662, P=0.006) were independent protective factors of QTc interval prolongation in patients with diabetes. Elevated heart rate (OR=1.040, 95%CI, 1.022-1.058, P＜ 0.001), obesity (OR=3.350, 95%CI, 1.885-5.951, P＜ 0.001) and NAFLD (OR=1.999, 95%CI, 1.192-3.352, P=0.009) were independent risk factors for the prolongation of QTc interval in patients with diabetes. Conclusion The prolongation of QTc interval in type 2 diabetic patients is closely related to NAFLD confirmed by ultrasonography.