High prevalence of fragmented QRS on electrocardiography in Japanese patients with diabetes irrespective of metabolic syndrome

Aims/Introduction Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography is a marker of myocardial fibrosis and myocardial scar formation. This study aimed to clarify the relationship of fQRS with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Japanese patients. Materials and Methods Approximately 702 individuals who had a routine health checkup at the Hokuriku Health Service Association (Toyama, Japan) in October 2014 were enrolled and categorized into one of the following four groups based on MetS and diabetes mellitus status: with diabetes mellitus (+) MetS+ (164 participants); diabetes mellitus+ without MetS (Mets−; 103 participants); diabetes mellitus− MetS+ (133 participants); and diabetes mellitus− MetS− (302 participants). fQRS was assessed using the results of electrocardiography. Results The prevalence of fQRS was statistically higher in patients with diabetes mellitus+ MetS+ (37%) and diabetes mellitus+ MetS− (35%), than those with diabetes mellitus− MetS+ (14%) or diabetes mellitus− MetS− (10%; P