Diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing in prevalence in France and is now more common in patients entering cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Only a few studies have focused on the effects of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with DM but it is still unclear if they gain the same benefit from a CR program as do non diabetics.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of exercise-based CR on cardiac risk factors and exercise parameters in a series of diabetic and non diabetic individuals.

Between 2009 and 2013, 386 patients were consecutively referred to our institution after an acute cardiac event. Our CR program consists of 4 sessions per week for 5 weeks (total of 20 sessions) and includes both exercise and health and nutrition education sessions. Patients were divided into two groups according to their diabetic status.

The prevalence of diabetis, in our ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation center was 29% (113 patients). Hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia were more common in diabetic vs non diabetic participants (P<0.001 for all). Diabetic patients had increased SBP, triglyceride concentrations, weight and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), but decreased HDL concentrations compared with non diabetics at the start of CR (P<0.05 for all). Initial exercise capacity parameters (Wpeak, VO2 peak/kg, 6minute walk test) were lower in diabetics vs nondiabetics (P<0.001). Both diabetics and non diabetics showed significant improvement in quality of life, SBP, DBP, lipid profile, and exercise capacity after CR.

This study emphasizes similar beneficial effects of multidisciplinary CR program on exercice capacity and quality of life in patient with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. A significant benefit can be seen after 5 weeks (20 sessions) of CR program.