Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction

An increasing number of type 1 diabetics (T1DM) are being identified as having characteristics of metabolic syndrome and obesity. The aim of our work is to assess the prevalence of overweight and degenerative complications in a population with type 1 diabetes.

Material and methods

This is a descriptive and retrospective study concerning 377 type 1 diabetics hospitalized in the endocrinology-diabetology department over a 6-year time period.

Results

The mean age was 21.4 ± 11 years. A total of 44.6% had active diabetes for more than 5 years with an average of HbA1c 10.7 ± 5.2%. 44.4% of patients were admitted for uncontrolled diabetes with dietary errors in 26.4% of cases. The mean BMI was 20.3 ± 4.3 kg/m², it was inversely correlated with HbA1c (P = 0.001), 21.9% had a BMI b 25 kg/m² with a sex ratio M/W = 0.3, including moderate obesity in 3.4% and severe obesity in 0.9%. Hypertension was observed in 13.7% of cases, ischemic heart disease in 2%. 18% of patients had diabetic retinopathy, and 12% had diabetic nephropathy.

Discussion–conclusion

Patients with T1DM have more characteristics usually associated with T1DM patients with overweight, known as ’double diabetes’. This association seems to be an independent and important risk factor for the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications. Long-term studies are required to confirm the specific dietary patterns in this population.