Blood glucose control and complications at 20 years from onset of type 1 diabetes. Results from a specialist unit

© 2014 Sociedad Española de Diabetes. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved. Objectives To determine the prevalence of chronic complications in a group of patients with long duration type 1 diabetes (DM1), and their relationship with glycemic control since diagnosis of disease, as well as control and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). Material and methods The study included patients diagnosed in our center between 1985 and 1994 and followed-up until the present. Anthropometric data, glycemic control, chronic complications, and CVRF were collected from medical records at baseline and annually. A visit was made that included a physical examination and complete blood analysis. Results A total of 77 patients were studied (46 males, and mean age 47 ± 8.5 years, duration of follow-up, 22.4 ± 2.2 years). Sixteen patients (20.4%) developed retinopathy, 8 (10.4%) nephropathy, 12 (15.6%) polyneuropathy, and 3 (3.9%) macroangiopathy. Hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity were found in 28.6%, 46.8% and 20.8%, respectively, and 22.1% were sedentary, and 35.1% were smokers. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) during the entire follow-up was 7.2 ± 0.8%. In the first five years it was 6.4 ± 1.2% and at the study visit, it was 7.6 ± 1.1%. More than two-thirds (70%) of patients remained on target in the first five years, with 45% in the next five years, and about 25% from years 10 to 22. Patients with no complications showed better glycemic control during the entire follow-up (HbA1c 7.0 ± 0.7% vs. 7.6 ± 0.9%; P=.003), and also in the first five years (HbA1c 6.1 ± 0.9 vs. 7.0 ± 1.4%; P=.001). Conclusion Prevalence of complications after 20 years of follow-up in well controlled DM1 since diagnosis is low, and is related to the overall glycemic control during follow-up and in the early years of the disease. The prevalence of smoking is high.