Misdiagnosis of Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Care: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review
Yeshniyazov N. Posokhov I.N. Medovchshikov V.V. Kurmanalina G. Sartayeva A.
2024Dove Medical Press Ltd
Vascular Health and Risk Management
2024#20479 - 485 pp.
The coexistence of heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is common and poses a serious threat to human health because these diseases have a high degree of commonality at the vascular level. However, the diagnosis of HF in primary care can be challenging, leading to the risk of inadequate management of both conditions. Using two case reports as examples, we attempt to shed light on the issues involved in this challenge. In the first case presentation, a 62-year-old male patient with T2DM and dyspnea was initially diagnosed with HF during primary care. However, further workup revealed that the actual cause of the patient’s breathlessness was the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the second case, a 59-year-old woman with T2DM and obesity complained of leg swelling that was attributed to chronic venous insufficiency by a primary care physician. A correct diagnosis of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was made using N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography. Due to diabetic vasculopathy HF is more likely to progress with a preserved ejection fraction. In addition, symptoms of COPD or obesity may overlap with or mask symptoms of HFpEF. The issues of over-and misdiagnosis of HFpEF in primary care are discussed in our review, which emphasizes the nonspecific nature of symptoms, such as breathlessness and leg edema in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is of utmost importance for healthcare providers to be aware of unusual manifestations of heart failure and, vice versa, of diseases that masquerade as heart failure. This will enable them to manage risks in these patients with greater consistency.
case report , COPD , edema , exertional dyspnea , heart failure , misdiagnosis , natriuretic peptide , primary care , transthoracic echocardiogram , type 2 diabetes mellitus
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Department of Internal Diseases No 2, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Internal Diseases, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation-Federal Medical Biophysical Center Named After A.I. Burnazyan, Moscow, Russian Federation
Department of General Medical Practice No. 2, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Internal Diseases No 2
Department of Internal Diseases
Department of General Medical Practice No. 2
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