Glycemic Control and Metabolic Parameters in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

The association between glycemic control and metabolic status is poorly defined in children and adolescents with T1D, besides being biologically plausible. We aimed to evaluate the association between glycemic control and body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and lipid profile in children and adolescents with T1D.

Observational cross-sectional study including children and adolescents (5-18 years old) followed in our outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of T1D for at least a year. We used linear regression models (unadjusted and adjusted to sex and age) to evaluate the association between glycated hemoglobin (A1c) and time in range (TIR), several prespecified metabolic parameters, and prespecified demographic and clinical characteristics. We considered a p-value of <0.05 to be statistically significant.

A total of 144 patients were included, 51% of whom were female. The population had a mean age of 12.7±3.4 years old. We report a positive association between A1c and BMI, systolic and diastolic BP, total- and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. Females and patients diagnosed at a younger age presented with higher A1c values. There is a tendency for a negative association between TIR and the former parameters. Higher A1c levels and lower TIR were associated with higher glycemic variability and were treated with a higher basal insulin per Kg dose.

Our results support an important association between worse glycemic control and an unhealthier metabolic profile in children and adolescents with T1D. We can hypothesize that a good glycemic profile is needed to achieve good metabolic control at a young age.