Endothelial function in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM) [Funzione endoteliale in adolescenti con diabete di tipo 1],

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications related to the duration of diabetes and the degree of glycemic control. Impared flow-mediated dilation (FMD) has been used to evaluate the vascular function. Aim is to evaluate longitudinally changes of FMD in T1DM adolescents. Methods. Twenty-five adolescents (14 males and 11 females, aged 12.9 ± 2.3 years) with T1DM (duration of disease 54.1 ± 41.1 months) entered the study. In all patients glycaemia, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid values, and FMD were determined at the beginning and after 30.20 months. Vascular function was assessed by measurement of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation of the brachial artery using a high-sensibility ultrasound system. FMD was expressed as percentage change of diameter of the artery following reactive hyperemia from baseline. Results. At the end of the study, the mean value of FMD was significantly worsted (6.8 ± 11.8 vs 1.4 ± 7.8; p = 0.04). No correlation was demonstrated between FMD and lipid profile and HbA1c. Longitudinally boys had significantly lower FMD than girls (-2.3 ± 6.3 vs 6.4 ± 6.8; p = 0.002). Conclusion. Adolescents with T1DM have a worse FMD, more evident in males, and apparently unrelated to glycemic control.