Journal of Internal Medicine Concepts & Practice >

2026 , Vol. 21 >Issue 02: 188 - 193

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16138/j.1673-6087.2026.02.14

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: an underrecognized complication of diabetes mellitus

  • XU Ruoyi ,
  • YANG Yu ,
  • SUN Hongping ,
  • LIU Chao ,
  • WANG Kun
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  • 1. Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211100, China
    2. Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211100, China
    3. Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China

Received date: 2025-07-28

  Revised date: 2025-09-30

  Accepted date: 2025-10-15

  Online published: 2026-06-15

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Copyright © 2026 Journal of Internal Medicine Concepts & Practice. All rights reserved.
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Abstract

Diabetic cardiomyopathy initially referred to myocardial structural or functional abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the absence of coronary heart disease, hypertension and/or obesity. However, relatively few T2DM patients can be diagnosed with diabetic cardiomyopathy, which limits the timeliness of clinical diagnosis and treatment, and is an important reason why this complication is underrecognized. In 2024, the European Society of Cardiology Working Group released the latest consensus statement suggesting that diabetic cardiomyopathy be defined as myocardial systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction in the presence of diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, clinicians have insufficient understanding of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Therefore, this article will focus on elaborating its pathophysiological mechanisms, the latest definition and clinical significance, diagnostic criteria and difficulties in differential diagnosis, as well as risk assessment strategies, aiming to enhance clinicians’ awareness and provide a reference for the identification and management of diabetic complications.

Key words： diabetic cardiomyopathy; type 2 diabetes mellitus; heart failure

Cite this article

XU Ruoyi , YANG Yu , SUN Hongping , LIU Chao , WANG Kun . Diabetic cardiomyopathy: an underrecognized complication of diabetes mellitus[J]. Journal of Internal Medicine Concepts & Practice, 2026 , 21(02) : 188 -193 . DOI: 10.16138/j.1673-6087.2026.02.14

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