ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Silent myocardial ischemia is often found in old diabetics. Many diagnostic tools are used for diagnosis of angina. But these tools are difficult to use in primary care. Therefore we have planned to investigate the change of electrocardiography in old diabetics, using resting electrocardiogram which is available for primary care. METHOD: 67 patients with ST-T change group and 262 patients with control group were included in this study. Patients with chest pain or heart problem were excluded. The resting electrocardigraphy is examined by standard 12 lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: There are differences of diabetes, HDL-cholesterol between ST-T change group and control group. Diabetes and HDL- cholesterol are significant factors that change ST-T wave in the resting electrocardigraphy. CONCLUSION: ST-T change of old diabetics without chest pain is more frequent than non diabetics. That means myocardial ischemia and requires treatment at secondary or third medical center. In conclusion, regular electrocardigraphy monitoring at primary care should be required in old diabetics.