ABSTRACT
Background : The risk of cardiovascular diseases is two to four times higher in diabetic patients. Aim: To study the severity of coronary disease and survival of patients with diabetes mellitus, compared to matched controls without diabetes. Patients and methods: A retrospective review of all coronary angiographies performed at a private hospital. All diabetic patients with coronary lesions over 50 percent were considered as the index group. Non diabetic patients with coronary artery lesions over 50 percent and with similar demographic features and risk factors to the diabetic patients group, were studied as controls. A follow up was done reviewing clinical records and by telephone interviews. Mortality was obtained reviewing death certificates. Results: Seventy seven diabetic patients (48 male, mean age 61±10 years and 129 non diabetic subjets (87 males, eman age 61±10 years) were studied. Mean follow up in diabetic and non diabetic patients was 1,270 and 1,340 days respectively. Diabetic patients had a higher frequency of multiple vessel disease than their non diabetic counterparts (69 and 52 percent respectively, p <0.003). Ejection fraction was 61 and 65 percent in diabetics and non diabetics. General mortality was 15.5 and 2.3 percent in diabetics and non diabetic respectively (p <0.01). Cardiovascular mortality was 9.1 and 0.8 percent in diabetics and non diabetics respectively (p 0.002). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with coronary artery disease have a lower survival and more extensive coronary artery lesions than non diabetic patients with similar age, sex and overall coronary risk (Rev MÚd Chile 2004; 132: 331-6).