Teenage girls with type 1 diabetes have poorer metabolic control than boys and face more complications in early adulthood

• Aims: To compare metabolic control between males and females with type 1 diabetes during adolescence and as young adults, and relate it to microvascular complications. Methods: Data concerning 4000 adolescents with type 1 diabetes registered in the Swedish paediatric diabetes quality registry, and above the age of 18 years in the Swedish National Diabetes Registry was used. Results: When dividing HbA1c values in three groups; < 7.4% (57 mmol/mol), 7.4-93% (57-78 mmol/mol) and >9.3% (78 mmol/mol), there was a higher proportion of females in the highest group during adolescence. In the group with the highest HbA1c values during adolescence and as adults, 51.7% were females, expected value 46.2%; in the group with low HbA1c values in both registries, 34.2% were females, p < 0.001. As adults, more females had retinopathy, p < 0.05. Females had higher mean HbAlc values at diagnosis, 112 vs. 10.9% (99 vs. 96 mmol/mol), p < 0.03, during adolescence, 8.5 vs. 82% (69 vs. 66 mmol/mol) p < 0.01, but not as young adults. Conclusions: Worse glycaemic control was found in adolescent females, and they had a higher frequency of microvascular complications. Improved paediatric diabetes care is of great importance for increasing the likelihood of lower mortality and morbidity later in life.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Keyword

HbA1c

Type 1 diabetes

Gender

Microvascular complications

Quality of care

glycemic control

young-adults

follow-up

children

adolescents

diagnosis

gender

childhood

mellitus

sex

Endocrinology & Metabolism

HbA1c; Type 1 diabetes; Gender; Microvascular complications; Quality of care

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)