Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents With Diabetes From Vulnerable Populations

Limited data exist on the predisposition for an early trajectory of cardiovascular (CV) disease in adolescents with diabetes. We explored the effects of types of diabetes and sociodemographic factors (i.e., race, gender, income level, family structure) on the following CV risks: glucose control (A1c), blood pressure (BP), and lipid profile. Adolescents with type 1 DM (T1DM) or type 2 DM (T2DM) participated: 109 with T1DM and 42 with T2DM. The general linear model was used to examine the influence of type of DM, sociodemographic factors, and the interaction of type of DM and the sociodemographic factors on CV risks. Systolic and diastolic BP were increased in youth with T2DM versus T1DM. Non-Hispanic Blacks had a higher A1c and resting diastolic BP than non-Hispanic Whites. Lower income was also associated with higher resting diastolic BP. Males with T1DM had higher A1c, whereas females with T2DM had higher A1c. With low income, individuals with T1DM had higher A1c values than those with T2DM; those with high income and T2DM had higher A1c than those with T1DM. Adolescents with T1DM from single, divorced, or separated families had higher average A1c values. In comparison, those with T2DM from married families had higher A1c values. Triglycerides were increased for those with T2DM, with the greatest amount for Hispanics as compared with non-Hispanic Blacks. In summary, minority status, lower income, and family structure may have a greater impact on vulnerability for poor outcomes in adolescents with DM, regardless of the type of the disease.