Comparative Study of Coronary Artery Disease between Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients in the Elderly Patients Group

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in older adults. This study compared the clinical characteristics, cardiac function and angiographic severity of CAD between elderly diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) from January 2021 to December 2024. A total of 250 patients aged ≥40 years with IHD were enrolled, including 125 diabetic and 125 non-diabetic patients. Clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and coronary angiographic data were compared using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Diabetic patients were older than non-diabetic patients (64.3 ± 8.0 vs. 61.2 ± 8.5 years; p=0.004) and had higher rates of hypertension (76.8% vs. 55.2%; p<0.001) and elevated BMI (36.8% vs. 24.8%; p=0.04). Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg was also more frequent among diabetics (56.0% vs. 41.6%; p=0.03). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was lower (48.5 ± 10.2% vs. 52.3 ± 9.8%; p=0.003), while regional wall motion abnormalities were more common (71.2% vs. 57.6%; p=0.03). Diabetic patients had higher odds of significant CAD (OR 2.28) and triple-vessel disease (OR 2.88), but lower odds of single-vessel disease (OR 0.39).Conclusion: Elderly diabetic patients with IHD have greater cardiometabolic risk, poorer left ventricular function and more extensive multivessel CAD than non-diabetic patients. Early assessment and appropriate invasive evaluation should be considered in this high-risk group.