HbA1c Values (hba1c + value)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on clinical and immunological response and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with moderate periodontitis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
Ana Belén Navarro-Sanchez
Abstract Objetives: The purpose of this study was to compare the local efficacy of nonsurgical periodontal therapy between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients and the effect of periodontal therapy on glycaemic control. Background: A complex two-way relationship exists between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Material and Methods: After selection, 20 subjects (10 diabetic and 10 non-diabetic) underwent baseline examination, periodontal clinical study and biochemical analysis of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). After the pre-treatment phase, subgingival scaling and root planing were performed. Subsequently, all subjects continued the maintenance programme and were re-examined at 3 and 6 months. Results: Diabetic and non-diabetic subjects responded well after therapy, showing a very similar progression during the follow-up period. Both groups showed clinically and immunologically significant improvements. Significant reductions were also found in the total volume of GCF and levels of interleukin-1, and tumour necrosis factor- ,. Diabetic subjects showed an improvement in their metabolic control. The change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) was statistically significant at 3 and 6 months. Conclusions: The clinical and immunological improvements obtained were accompanied by a significant reduction in HbA1C values in type 2 diabetic subjects. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding and establish whether periodontal therapy has a significant effect on glycaemic control. [source]


The effect of periodontal therapy on serum TNF-, and HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009

Abstract Background:, To determine the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on serum TNF-, and HbA1c levels in poorly and well-controlled type 2 diabetic patients. Methods:, In total, 45 patients were enrolled in the study; 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with periodontitis (15 with poorly controlled diabetes, HbA1c , 7%, group 1A and 15 with well-controlled diabetes, HbA1c < 7%, group 1B) and 15 patients that were systemically healthy with periodontitis (group 2). The plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival bleeding index, HbA1c value, and circulating TNF-, concentration were measured at baseline and three months after the non-surgical periodontal therapy. Results:, All periodontal parameters and serum TNF-, levels were significantly decreased three months after the non-surgical periodontal therapy compared to the baseline values in all groups. The HbA1c values were significantly decreased only in well-controlled diabetic patients. We found no significant differences in the periodontal parameters or TNF-, levels at baseline and after three months between the two groups. Conclusions:, Although non-surgical periodontal therapy eliminates local/systemic infection and inflammation via decreases in TNF-,, it is insufficient for significantly reducing HbA1c levels without strict glycaemic control in poorly controlled diabetic patients in a short time period. [source]


Age-dependent basal insulin patterns in children with type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2009
Agnieszka Szypowska
Aims: Identifying age-dependent basal rates in type 1 diabetic children treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Methods: CSII-treated children with type 1 diabetes exhibiting insulin requirement > 0.5U/kg and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) < 8%. The study population was composed of 198 Caucasian children (111 girls) with mean age of 9.8 ± 3.8 years, mean duration of diabetes of 4.3 ± 3.1 years and mean HbA1c value of 6.7 ± 0.7%. Data were evaluated for four age groups (0,6; 6,9; 9,12, 12,18 years). Basal rates records were downloaded from pump memory. HbA1c, weight, height were measured at scheduled visits. Results: Significant differences in the average hourly basal rate between groups were observed: I gr. 0.14 versus II gr. 0.24 versus III gr. 0.39 versus IV gr. 0.72 units/h; p < 0.0001. The average hourly basal rate correlated with age, body weight, BMI, diabetes duration and total insulin daily dose. Insulin peaks were observed for: I gr. , before midnight, II gr. , before midnight and in the early morning, gr. III and IV , in the early morning. Conclusion: Basal insulin infusion rate profiles in well-controlled paediatric patients on CSII reflect the age-dependent amount of basal insulin (20,40%) and affect circadian distribution of insulin needs. [source]


Vildagliptin plus metformin combination therapy provides superior glycaemic control to individual monotherapy in treatment-naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 5 2009
E. Bosi
Aim:, To compare the efficacy and safety of vildagliptin and metformin initial combination therapy with individual monotherapies in treatment-naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods:, This was a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study. Treatment-naive patients with T2DM who had a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.5,11% (N = 1179) were randomized equally to receive vildagliptin plus high-dose metformin combination therapy (50 mg + 1000 mg twice daily), vildagliptin plus low-dose metformin combination therapy (50 mg + 500 mg twice daily), vildagliptin monotherapy (50 mg twice daily) or high-dose metformin monotherapy (1000 mg twice daily). The primary objective was to demonstrate that HbA1c reduction from baseline with either combination therapy is superior to both monotherapies at the week 24 endpoint. Patients who failed glycaemic-screening criteria [HbA1c >11% or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) >15 mmol/l (270 mg/dl)] could enter a 24-week, single-arm substudy. These patients (N = 94) received open-label vildagliptin plus high-dose metformin combination therapy (100 mg + 1000 mg twice daily). Results:, From comparable baseline values (8.6,8.7%), HbA1c decreased in all four treatment groups, to the greatest extent with vildagliptin plus high-dose metformin combination therapy. Mean (SE) HbA1c change from baseline was ,1.8% (0.06%), ,1.6% (0.06%), ,1.1% (0.06%) and ,1.4% (0.06%) with vildagliptin plus high-dose metformin combination therapy, vildagliptin plus low-dose metformin combination therapy, and vildagliptin and metformin monotherapies respectively. The between-group difference was superior with vildagliptin plus high-dose metformin combination therapy (p < 0.001 vs. both monotherapies) and vildagliptin plus low-dose metformin combination therapy (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, vs. vildagliptin and metformin monotherapies, respectively). Higher baseline HbA1c values were linked to greater HbA1c reductions, with changes of ,3.2% (0.22%), ,2.7% (0.22%), ,1.5% (0.24%) and ,2.6% (0.26%) respectively, occurring in patients with baseline HbA1c,10%. Reductions in FPG were superior with vildagliptin plus high-dose metformin combination therapy [change from baseline ,2.63 (0.13) mmol/l] compared with both monotherapies [,1.26 (0.13) mmol/l and ,1.92 (0.13) mmol/l, respectively; p < 0.001]. There was no incidence of hypoglycaemia or severe hypoglycaemia with either combination therapy, and neither was associated with weight gain. All treatments were well tolerated and displayed a comparable incidence of adverse events overall. Despite superior HbA1c lowering, the vildagliptin plus low-dose metformin combination therapy group demonstrated a favourable gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability profile compared with metformin monotherapy. Conclusions:, In treatment-naive patients, combinations of vildagliptin and both high-dose and low-dose metformin provide superior efficacy to monotherapy treatments with a comparable overall tolerability profile and low risk of hypoglycaemia. The potential dose-sparing effect of adding vildagliptin to low-dose metformin in preference to the up-titration of metformin may allow patients to achieve equivalent or superior HbA1c lowering without the GI tolerability issues associated with higher doses of metformin. [source]


Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors: a major new class of oral antidiabetic drug

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 2 2007
Iskandar Idris
Exploiting the incretin effect to develop new glucose-lowering treatments has become the focus of intense research. One successful approach has been the development of oral inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). These drugs reversibly block DPP-IV-mediated inactivation of incretin hormones, for example, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and also other peptides that have alanine or proline as the penultimate N-terminal amino acid. DPP-IV inhibitors, therefore, increase circulating levels and prolong the biological activity of endogenous GLP-1, but whether this is sufficient to fully explain the substantial reduction in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and associated metabolic profile remains open to further investigation. DPP-IV inhibitors such as vildagliptin and sitagliptin have been shown to be highly effective antihyperglycaemic agents that augment insulin secretion and reduce glucagon secretion via glucose-dependent mechanisms. This review summarizes the major clinical trials with DPP-IV inhibitors as monotherapy and as add-on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. The magnitude of HbA1c reduction with DPP-IV inhibitors depends upon the pretreatment HbA1c values, but there seems to be no change in body weight, and very low rates of hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal disturbance with these agents. DPP-IV inhibitors represent a major new class of oral antidiabetic drug and their metabolic profile offers a number of unique clinical advantages for the management of type 2 diabetes. [source]


Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) 30 years later: still the best option for insulin therapy

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 2 2009
Daniela Bruttomesso
Abstract Thirty years after its introduction, the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) keeps increasing, especially among children and adolescents. The technique, when used properly, is safe and effective. Compared with traditional NPH-based multiple daily injections (MDI), CSII provides a small but clinically important reduction of HbA1c levels, diminishes blood glucose variability, decreases severe hypoglycaemic episodes and offers a better way to cope with the dawn phenomenon. Insulin analogues have improved the treatment of diabetes, eroding part of the place previously occupied by CSII, but CSII still remains the first option for patients experiencing severe hypoglycaemic episodes, high HbA1c values or marked glucose variability while being treated with optimized MDI. Furthermore CSII is better than MDI considering the effects on quality of life and the possibility to adjust insulin administration according to physical activity or food intake. CSII may be limited by cost. Present estimates suggest that CSII may be cost-effective just for patients experiencing a marked improvement in HbA1c or a decrease in severe hypoglycaemic episodes, but the effects on quality of life are difficult to measure. CSII does not merely imply wearing an external device; it requires a multidisciplinary team, intensive patient education and continuous follow up. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Decline of neuroadrenergic bronchial innervation and respiratory function in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 4 2007
Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi
Abstract Background and aim Type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated by autonomic neuropathy (AN) is characterized by depressed cholinergic bronchomotor tone and neuroadrenergic denervation of the lung. We explored the effects of AN on the rate of decline of pulmonary sympathetic innervation and respiratory function during a 5-year follow-up. Methods Twenty diabetic patients, 11 with AN, were enrolled in 1998 and then followed-up until 2003. During follow-up, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured every 3 months. In 1998 and 2003 the patients underwent respiratory function tests and a ventilatory scintigraphic study of neuroadrenergic bronchial innervation using 123I-MIBG. Results During follow-up 4 patients, all with AN, were lost, and 1 developed AN. Forced vital capacity (FVC), and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) showed comparable rates of decrease in patients with and without AN. The yearly decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was about double the physiologic rate, in both AN and AN-free patients. The MIBG clearance significantly increased both in patients with AN (T1/2: 118.88 ± 30.14 min at baseline and 92.10 ± 24.52 min at the end of follow-up) and without AN (135.14 ± 17.09 min and 92.68 ± 13.52 min, respectively), indicating a rapidly progressive neuroadrenergic denervation. The rate of the neuroadrenergic denervation was inversely related to the severity of autonomic dysfunction at baseline (Spearman's rho , 0.62, p = 0.017). Neither respiratory function indexes nor MIBG clearance changes correlated with the overall HbA1c values. Conclusions Neuroadrenergic denervation of the lung parallels the decline of respiratory function indexes in diabetic patients both with and without AN and seems to be independent from the quality of glycemic control. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Factors affecting improved glycaemic control in youth using insulin pumps

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010
J. Wilkinson
Diabet. Med. 27, 1174,1177 (2010) Abstract Aims, The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with insulin pump therapy resulting in lower HbA1c levels in young people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods, Insulin pumps were downloaded from 150 youth (81 male), ages 5,20 years. Consecutive insulin pump downloads, 3 months apart, were available for 85 (43 male) of the 150 youth and changes in pump use were correlated with changes (, 0.5%, , 6 mmol/mol) in HbA1c levels. Results, Using cross-sectional data, lower HbA1c values correlated with use of more frequent daily insulin boluses (r = ,0.46, P < 0.0001) and more frequent blood glucose checks/day (r = ,0.35, P < 0.0001). Young people with HbA1c levels < 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) vs. values of 7.5,9.0% (58-75 mmol/mol) or , 9.0% (75 mmol/mol) tested blood glucose more frequently/day (P < 0.0001), bolused more frequently/day (P < 0.0001), reported more grams of carbohydrates eaten/day (P < 0.05) and had a higher per cent bolus insulin/day (P < 0.05) compared with the , 9.0% of youth. Using longitudinal data, 48 of 85 patients had a change in HbA1c level of , 0.5% (6 mmol/mol) between downloads (24 improved). Increased bolus insulin (OR = 1.15, P = 0.03) and time of temporary basal rate use (OR = 1.017, P = 0.01) predicted , 0.5% (6 mmol/mol) decrease in HbA1c in logistic regression. Conclusions, This study emphasizes the importance of blood glucose testing, of bolus insulin administration and of an increase in the time of temporary basal rate use in relation to improving glycaemic control. [source]


Metabolic consequences of pancreatic systemic or portal venous drainage in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006
P. Petruzzo
Abstract Aims The aim was to investigate pancreatic B-cell function and insulin sensitivity in simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) recipients with systemic or portal venous drained pancreas allograft using simple and easy tests. Methods The study included 44 patients with Type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease who had undergone SPK transplantation: 20 recipients received a pancreas allograft with systemic venous drainage (S-SPK) and 24 with portal venous drainage (P-SPK). We studied only recipients with functioning grafts, with normal serum glucose, HbA1c and serum creatinine values, on a stable drug regimen. The subjects were studied at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after transplantation. Insulin sensitivity and B-cell function indices were derived from blood samples and oral glucose tolerance tests. Results All patients from both groups had normal fasting glucose, body mass index and HbA1c values by selection. The homeostatic model (HOMA) ,-cell index was significantly lower in P-SPK recipients at several points of the follow-up. HOMA-IR was significantly higher in S-SPK recipients at 6 and 24 months after transplantation and was positively correlated with fasting insulin values, but never exceeded 3.2. There was no significant difference in QUICKI index values between the two groups. Although all patients from both groups always had normal glucose tolerance, the area under the insulin curve was higher in the S-SPK group. Cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in the P-SPK group. Conclusions The results suggest sustained long-term endocrine function in both groups and show that portal venous drainage does not offer major metabolic advantages. [source]


Diabetes control and complications: the role of glycated haemoglobin, 25 years on

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 7 2004
S. L. Jeffcoate
Abstract The long-term complications of diabetes have major consequences for individual subjects and growing healthcare delivery and cost implications for society. Evidence for the benefits of good glycaemic control, as monitored by glycated haemoglobin measurements, has been developed in the 25 years since they were introduced to the point where HbA1c assays play central roles in patient management, clinical guidance and audit, and clinical trial design. In this review this evidence is examined and three classes of uncertainty identified that diminish confidence in the effectiveness of these roles for HbA1c. 1Analytical variability between different methods for HbA1c has restricted the application of clinical targets and this problem has recently been addressed by reference method standardization. There are two approaches to this which result in different HbA1c values and this discrepancy needs to be resolved. 2Biological variability in HbA1c values between individuals also restricts its predictive role when applied to populations. The correlations between HbA1c measurements and various components of glycaemia (overall, fasting, postprandial) are still uncertain and differences in protein glycation and de-glycation are greater between subjects than often thought. The influence of variability in erythrocyte life span is an area where research is needed, especially in diabetic subjects. 3Clinical variability is the most important and complex area of uncertainty. A predictive link between HbA1c and clinical outcomes is not as clear-cut as often stated. The correlation with the development of microvascular disease is well established in Type 1 diabetes, but in Type 2 subjects (90% of those with diabetes) the evidence that HbA1c monitoring is of value in predicting or preventing macrovascular disease is not strong, although it is the major cause of morbidity and early death in this group. It is recommended that, as a matter of urgency, these issues be examined, particularly within the context of self-care in diabetes. Diabet. Med. **, ***,*** (2003) [source]


Experiences with a group intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents

EUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 1 2008
RN Lřding RN Registered Nurse
Abstract Background: Increased adolescent-parent engagement in diabetes-related tasks appears to decrease diabetes-related family conflict. Group intervention may be a good approach when caring for adolescents with chronic conditions, including diabetes. Aim: This article aims to describe how group intervention may be useful in the treatment of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. When these children enter puberty and become adolescents, it can become difficult. In many cases, family-related conflict has a negative impact on an adolescent's blood sugar levels and self-care behaviour. Method: 19 adolescents (age 13,17 years) and their parents participated in group intervention. Families were recruited from outpatient clinics in two centres in Middle-Norway. Separate groups met once a month for 1 year. All adolescents and parents completed a battery of self-report measures. In addition, HbA1c values were obtained five times from the adolescents' medical records. Results: In terms of metabolic control there was a significant decrease in HbA1c values in the girls studied. In adolescents of both sexes, the process of deterioration was stopped. Conclusion: The development of efficient interventions for this group of patients is highly needed. Our intervention was peer-oriented and psycho-educative. Although the sample size in this study was small, one may still consider that group intervention may improve parent-adolescent relationships. Results from the study also demonstrate that group intervention may improve metabolic control in girls, without deterioration in health-related quality-of-life. Copyright © 2008 FEND [source]


Educational needs, metabolic control and self-reported quality of life

EUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 1 2005
A study among people with type 2 diabetes treated in primary health care
Abstract The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing. In order to reduce long-term complications and to promote a better life for these patients, health care professionals are important advocates in education and counselling. More knowledge is therefore needed to explore the association between educational needs and quality of life. In total, 211 people with type 2 diabetes (response rate 48%) were recruited from general practices in a geographically well-defined district in Bergen, Norway. All participants completed a questionnaire measuring demographical and clinical variables, quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref), satisfaction with education and counselling, and symptoms related to the disease. A blood sample was taken from each patient for determination of HbA1c. The participants reported receiving most information on diet, physical activity and treatment and less information on foot care and long-term complications. Satisfaction with education was significantly positively correlated with self-reported overall quality of life, and quality of life within domains for psychological health, social relationships and environment. More intensive treatment was significantly associated with lower quality of life within the physical health and social relationships domains. For 32% of the participants, HbA1c values did not satisfy the Norwegian guidelines (adjusted for age). The results from the present study emphasise a need for health education in diabetes primary health care especially in relation to foot care and long-term complications. The association between satisfaction with education and quality of life makes it important to develop educational and counselling methods for nurses in primary health care. Copyright © 2005 FEND. [source]


Relationship of Porphyromonas gingivalis with glycemic level in patients with type 2 diabetes following periodontal treatment

MOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
N. Makiura
Introduction:, The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum glycemic levels and subgingival microbial profile alteration following periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods:, We studied 30 periodontitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received full-mouth subgingival debridement by analyzing their subgingival microbial profiles using a polymerase chain reaction method at baseline and various time-points for 12 months following treatment. Concurrently, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and metabolic parameters, including glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood sugar level, C-reactive proteins, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were recorded. Results:, Periodontal conditions were significantly improved after treatment, and the occurrence rates of periodontal bacterial species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis, Treponema denticola, and Prevotella intermedia, were also reduced. Interestingly, P. gingivalis was detected more frequently in subjects with increased HbA1c values after periodontal treatment than in those patients with decreased HbA1c values. Furthermore, P. gingivalis with type II fimbriae was detected only in HbA1c-increased subjects, while improvements in HbA1c values were observed only in subjects without type II clones. Conclusions:, These results suggest that glycemic level in diabetes is affected by the persistence of P. gingivalis, especially clones with type II fimbriae, in periodontal pockets. [source]


Insulin-related metabolism following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood

PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 2 2009
Ronit Elhasid
Objectives:, To assess insulin-related metabolism following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in childhood. Study design:, Thirty-four patients who underwent HSCT were compared with 21 patients with similar diseases who were not transplanted. Median follow-up was 3.6 yr after HSCT. Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lipid profile were measured and compared. Results:, HbA1c was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in the study group. Two (5.8%) patients in the study group developed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among thalassemic patients, significantly lower insulin resistance indices (p = 0.05) and fasting plasma insulin levels (p = 0.033) were found in the study group compared with the control group. Conclusions:, Attentive follow-up of insulin-related metabolism following HSCT in children is needed. The significance of the higher HbA1c values in the study group remains to be evaluated in a larger cohort of patients. [source]


Use of CoZmonitor® in youth with type 1 diabetes,

PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 2 2008
Erin Cobry
Background:, The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of directly integrating self-monitoring blood glucose (BG) information with insulin pump therapy on overall glycemic control. Methods:, In this randomized trial, 34 youth with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy were trained on the use of the Deltec Cozmo® Insulin Pump. Seventeen were randomized to use the CoZmonitor® Blood Glucose Module, a device that attaches to the back of the pump using FreeStyle® technology to perform BG tests which read directly on the pump screen. The remaining 17 (control group) used a FreeStyle Flash meter, a stand-alone BG meter, for their BG testing. At baseline, 3 and 6 months, the subjects filled out a questionnaire, had a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test, and had pumps and meters downloaded. Results:, After 3 months of study, there were no changes in mean HbA1c (± SD) values for the experimental (8.7 ± 1.1 to 8.6 ± 1.1) or the control groups (9.1 ± 1.4 to 9.2 ± 1.5). There were also no significant differences in HbA1c values after 6 months. The average number of BG tests per day did not change significantly in either group during the study. After 3 and 6 months, the experimental group rated satisfaction with the use of the CoZmonitor at 4.4 and 3.8 (respectively) on a five-point Likert scale, with 5 being the most satisfied. Conclusions:, Although significant changes in HbA1c values or the number of BG tests were not found, use of the BG module had a positive level of satisfaction. [source]


Characteristics of glycemic control in young children with type 1 diabetes

PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 4 2002
Francine Ratner Kaufman
Abtract: Background: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) demonstrated that the rate-limiting step to the intensification of diabetes management in adolescents and adults was hypoglycemia. Young children were presumed to be at even greater risk for hypoglycemia with severe consequences, particularly if they had HbA1c levels < 8%. Subjects: A retrospective chart review was performed on 148 patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin injection therapy who were < 8 yr of age (mean age 5.7 ± 1.5, mean diabetes duration 3.0 ± 1.4 yr) followed quarterly from July 1999 to June 2001. Methods:, The subjects were divided into two groups based on their mean HbA1c values (< 8 vs. , 8%) averaged over the 2-yr time period. The following variables were analyzed comparing the two groups: age, duration of diabetes, insulin dose, severe hypoglycemic episodes, episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), percentage of glucose levels above, within, and below the target range, and number of diabetes home-management competencies obtained. Results:, Patients with HbA1c < 8% spent more time within target range (40.0 vs. 29.5%, p = 0.0001) and less time above their target range (36.9 vs. 51.2%, p = 0.0003). There was no difference in the percentage of glucose levels below target (23.2 vs. 19.4%, p = NS), percentage of severe hypoglycemic episodes (3 vs. 7 episodes per 100 patient-yr, p = NS), or episodes of DKA (1 vs. 3 episodes per 100 patient-yr, p = NS) between the two groups. Subjects with lower HbA1c levels had acquired more home-management competencies (4.0 vs. 3.5, p = 0.01). Conclusions:, If families are competent in fundamental diabetes management, young children can achieve HbA1c levels < 8.0% without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. [source]


Diabetic autoimmunity in infants and pre-schoolers with type 1 diabetes

PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 3 2000
Eba H Hathout
The incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing most rapidly in children under 5 yrs of age, a group where the disease appears to be more accelerated than traditional type 1 diabetes. Little is known about demographics, and markers of diabetes autoimmunity, in infants and pre-schoolers with type 1 diabetes. We report an analysis of 47 children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes prior to 5 yrs of age compared with a representative cohort (n=49) diagnosed after 5 yrs of age, and all were followed at Loma Linda University (LLU) Children's Hospital. Ethnic, familial, seasonal, and autoimmune marker characteristics are outlined. To determine the prevalence of diabetes autoimmune markers, ICA512, GAD65 and insulin autoantibodies (IAA) antibodies were measured. Children with early-onset diabetes had a significantly higher incidence of viral illness symptoms (p=0.005) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA; p=0.017) at the time of diagnosis. However, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels at diagnosis were significantly higher in the later-onset group (p=0.001). A honeymoon period was reported in 14.8% of children diagnosed before 5 yrs of age compared with 42.1% in those diagnosed over 5 yrs of age (p=0.038). Islet-cell antibodies (ICAs) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody titers were significantly different between early- and later-onset groups. ICA titers were positive in 35.29%, and GAD in 41.38% of the early-onset group versus 70.83 and 71.74% in children with later-onset disease, (p=0.001 and 0.009, respectively). IAA titers, drawn after instituting insulin therapy, were not significantly different between the two groups. GAD and ICA512 antibody results suggest a relative lack of diabetes immune markers in infants and toddlers with new-onset diabetes. This finding, and the apparent shorter pre-clinical phase reflected in the lower HbA1c values, may indicate age-related differences in type 1 diabetes autoimmunity or the existence of non-autoimmune diabetogenic mechanisms in younger children. [source]


An unplanned delay between control visits influences the metabolic status in children with diabetes: an observational study

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2010
P-E Kofoed
Abstract Aim:, To evaluate whether the metabolic status had been influenced by the longer interval between visits because of a strike at the diabetes outpatient clinic. Methods:, During the strike from April 16 to June 15, 2008 all routine visits were cancelled. The HbA1c values from the last two visits prior to and the first two visits after the strike were compared with the values from the same periods the previous year. Danish speaking patients answered a questionnaire. Results:, For 155 children included, the mean HbA1c values before the strike were 8.1 and 8.1 (p = 0.39), while the value increased to 8.5 at the first visit (p < 0.0001) and 8.4 at the second visit following the strike (p = 0.14). No differences were found between any of the HbA1c values measured in 2007 (p > 0.05). Of the 152 questionnaires handed out, 113 (74.3%) were returned. Of these, 48 (42.5%) stated to have needed help, and 49 (43.3%) that their children's diabetes had deteriorated because of the strike. Conclusions:, In this unplanned study, the increase of 0.4% in mean HbA1c supports previous findings that the interval between visits at a diabetic clinic is important for ensuring an acceptable metabolic control in children with diabetes. [source]