Type-1 Diabetes in Boys Increases Risk of CHD

Teenage boys with type-1 diabetes are at increased risk from heart disease and could benefit from lipid lowering treatment, according to a US study.

The research, presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 65th Scientific Sessions held in San Diego, USA, last week, found that teenage boys with type-1 diabetes were already developing atherosclerosis.

The study included 90 teenagers with type-1 diabetes and 16 healthy age-matched controls. The researchers measured the intima- media thickness (IMT) of their common carotid artery to check for evidence of atherosclerosis.

They found that teenage boys, but not girls, with type-1 diabetes had a higher IMT than those without diabetes.

Other risk factors for a high IMT in boys were poor glucose control, exposure to smoke, and higher total cholesterol and apoliprotein B levels.

In girls, risk factors for a high IMT were hereditary cardiovascular disease and low levels of HDL cholesterol. There was no association between levels of inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen and IMT.

Lead researcher Dr Francine Kaufman, head of the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said that the results suggested more should be done to tackle cardiovascular risk factors in boys with type-1 diabetes.

‘This would suggest that aggressive anti-smoking strategies should be employed in conjunction with a more aggressive approach to treating lipid abnormalities,’ she said.

Dr Eugene Hughes, of the Primary Care Diabetes Society, said: ‘We have to recognise that cardiovascular disease is common in type-1 diabetes.

‘That we should start treating patients this young for cardiovascular disease is quite radical. It would have major implications for the Treasury,’ he said.

emma. baines@haynet. com

http://scientificsessions.diabetes.org

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Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. Jun 17, 2005