Modifications of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index with age

The aim of the study was to analyze the association between aging and insulin resistance estimated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). This work involved two studies: (1) the Di@bet.es study is a cross-sectional study including 4,948 subjects, comprising a representative sample of the adult Spanish population; (2) the Pizarra study is a population-based cohort study undertaken in Pizarra (Spain), in which 1,051 subjects were evaluated at baseline and 714 completed the 6-year follow-up study. Study variables included a clinical and demographic structured survey, a lifestyle survey, a physical examination, and an oral glucose tolerance test in subjects without diabetes. In the Di@bet.es study overall, an increase occurred in blood glucose until the age of 50, after which it remained stable (data adjusted for gender, body mass index, abnormal glucose regulation [AGR]). The HOMA-IR increased significantly with age (p = 0.01), due to a higher prevalence of obesity (p < 0.0001) and AGR (p < 0.001). In non-obese subjects without AGR, HOMA-IR values were not modified with age (p = 0.30), but they were with body mass index (p < 0.001). In the Pizarra study, the HOMA-IR was significantly lower after 6-year follow-up in the whole study population. Subjects with a HOMA-IR level higher than the 75th percentile at baseline were more likely to develop diabetes (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.2-3.9; p = 0.007) than subjects with a lower HOMA-IR. We concluded that age per se did not increase HOMA-IR levels, changes that might be related to higher rates of obesity and AGR in older subjects. The HOMA-IR was associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes 6 years later.

Estimating Cardiovascular Risk in Spain by the European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

There are no nationwide, population-based studies in Spain assessing overall cardiovascular risk. We aimed to describe cardiovascular risk and achievement of treatment goals following the 2012 European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention strategy. We also investigated clinical characteristics (non-classical risk factors) associated with moderate risk.

METHODS

Participants (n=2310, 58% women) aged 40 to 65 years from a national population-based study (Di@bet.es Study) were identified. First, a priori high/very-high risk individuals were identified. Next, total cardiovascular risk (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation equation including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) was used to assess risk of a priori non-high risk individuals. Variables independently associated with moderate versus low-risk were investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Age-and-sex standardized (direct method) percentages of high/very-high, moderate, and low-risk were 22.8%, 43.5%, and 33.7%, respectively. Most men were at moderate (56.2%), while 55.4% of women were at low risk. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (< 70,<100, < 115 mg/dL) and blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg) goals for very-high, high and moderate risk were met in 15%, 26% and 46%, and 77%, 68% and 85% of the individuals, respectively. Body mass index, high triglycerides concentrations, diastolic blood pressure, and low Mediterranean diet adherence (in women) were independently associated with moderate (versus low) risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular risk in Spain is mainly moderate in men and low in women. Achievement of treatment goals in high-risk individuals should be improved. The prevalence of non-classical cardiovascular risk factors is elevated in subjects at moderate risk, an important aspect to consider in a population-based strategy to decrease cardiovascular disease in the most prevalent group.

Ambient temperature and prevalence of obesity in the Spanish population: The Di@bet.es study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine possible associations between ambient temperature and obesity in the Spanish population using an ecological focus.

METHODS

The Di@bet.es study is a national, cross-sectional, population-based survey of cardiometabolic risk factors and their association with lifestyle.

SAMPLE

5,061 subjects in 100 clusters.

VARIABLES

Clinical, demographic and lifestyle survey, physical examination, and blood sampling. The mean annual temperature (°C) for each study site was collected from the Spanish National Meteorology Agency (1971-2000).

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of obesity in the different geographical areas divided according to mean annual temperature quartiles were 26.9% in quartile 1 (10.4-14.5°C), 30.5% in quartile 2 (14.5-15.5°C), 32% in quartile 3 (15.5-17.8°C), and 33.6% in quartile 4 (17.8-21.3°C) (P = 0.003). Logistic regression analyses including multiple socio-demographic (age, gender, educational level, marital status) and lifestyle (physical activity, Mediterranean diet score, smoking) variables showed that, as compared with quartile 1, the odd ratios for obesity were 1.20 (1.01-1.42), 1.35 (1.12-1.61), and 1.38 (1.14-1.67) in quartiles 2, 3, and 4, respectively (P = 0.001 for difference, P < 0.001 for trend).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reports an association between ambient temperature and obesity in the Spanish population controlled for known confounders.

FNDC5 could be regulated by leptin in adipose tissue

INTRODUCTION

Irisin activates the thermogenic function in adipose tissues. However, little is known on the association between human irisin and different cardiometabolic risk factors. We analyse the influence of morbid obesity on irisin levels and its relation with leptin and different cardiovascular risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We measured the serum irisin level and the fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) expression in adipose tissue from 33 morbidly obese subjects and 12 nonobese subjects. We also studied the effect of leptin on FNDC5 expression.

RESULTS

Serum irisin was higher in the nonobese subjects than in morbidly obese subjects, both before (P = 0·043) and after bariatric surgery (P = 0·042). The variable that best explained the serum irisin levels in a multiple linear regression model was the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (R(2) = 0·201) (Beta = -0·357, P = 0·046). Those morbidly obese subjects with android-type obesity had lower serum irisin levels than those with gynecoid-type obesity, both before (P = 0·027) and after bariatric surgery (P = 0·006). Only the percentage change in WHR was associated with serum irisin levels after bariatric surgery (r = -0·529, P = 0·005). FNDC5 expression levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were higher in the nonobese than in the morbidly obese subjects (P = 0·042). In SAT explants from nonobese subjects, leptin (20 and 150 ng/mL) produced a decrease in FNDC5 expression (P = 0·009 and P = 0·037, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We showed decreased serum irisin levels in morbidly obese subjects, related mainly to WHR. FNDC5 expression could be regulated by leptin.

Variable patterns of obesity and cardiometabolic phenotypes and their association with lifestyle factors in the Di@bet.es study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Prevalence rates of "metabolically healthy obese" (MHO) subjects vary depending on the criteria used. This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of MHO subjects and metabolically abnormal normal-weight subjects and compared the findings with the NHANES 1999-2004 study. The aims of the present study were, first, to determine the prevalence rates of MHO and MNHNO subjects using the same criteria as those of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2004) study, and second to compare the prevalence and correlates of obese subjects who are resistant to the development of adiposity-associated cardiometabolic abnormalities (CA) and normal-weight individuals who display cardiometabolic risk factor clustering between the Spanish and the US populations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Di@bet.es study is a national, cross-sectional population-based survey of 5728 adults conducted in 2009-2010. Clinical, metabolic, sociodemographic, and anthropometric data and information about lifestyle habits, such as physical activity, smoking habit, alcohol intake and food consumption, were collected. Subjects were classified according to their body mass index (BMI) (normal-weight, <25 kg/m(2); overweight, 25-29.9 kg/m(2); and obese, >30 kg/m(2)). CA included elevated blood pressure; elevated levels of triglycerides, fasting glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP); and elevated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) level. Two phenotypes were defined: metabolically healthy phenotype (0-1 CA) and metabolically abnormal phenotype (≥2 CA). The prevalence of metabolically abnormal normal-weight phenotype was slightly lower in the Spanish population (6.5% vs. 8.1%). The prevalence of metabolically healthy overweight and MHO subjects was 20.9% and 7.0%, respectively, while in NHANES study it was 17.9% and 9.7%, respectively. Cigarette smoking was associated with CA in each phenotype, while moderate physical activity and moderate alcohol intake were associated with being metabolically healthy. Olive oil intake was negatively associated with the prevalence of CA.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking, physical activity level, and alcohol intake contribute to the explanation of the prevalence of CA in the Spanish population, as in the US population. However in Spain, olive oil intake contributes significantly to the explanation of the variance in the prevalence of CA.

Night-time sleep duration and the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Findings from the prospective Pizarra study

BACKGROUND

Several recent studies have related short sleep duration with different health problems, though the results related with the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are far from conclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between night-time sleep duration and the incidence of obesity and T2D in a prospective study with a follow-up of 11 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised 1145 people evaluated in 1997-1998 and re-evaluated after 6 years and 11 years. At the three study points, subjects without known diabetes mellitus (KDM) were given an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. The subjects were asked about their number of hours of night-time sleep.

RESULTS

After adjustment, the OR of becoming obese was significantly higher in subjects who slept ≤ 7 hours per night, at both the 6-year follow-up (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.12-3.55) and the 11-year follow-up (OR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.47-5.04). The incidence of T2D at the 6-year follow-up in subjects without T2D at baseline was higher in those who slept ≤ 7 hours per night (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.10-3.50). However, this association was not independent of obesity, weight gain or abnormal glucose regulation at baseline. At the 11-year follow-up however there was no association between night-time sleep duration and the incidence of T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of obesity over the 11-year follow-up increased in subjects with fewer hours of night-time sleep. The incidence of T2D according to the hours of night-time sleep depended on obesity and the carbohydrate metabolism phenotype.

Evolution of urinary iodine excretion over eleven years in an adult population

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Few prospective cohort studies have evaluated dietary iodine intake and urinary iodine concentrations in the general adult population. We assess the evolution of urinary iodine excretion and factors that may influence it in an adult population followed for 11 years.

METHODS

A population-based cohort study was undertaken in Pizarra (Spain). In the three study phases (baseline (n = 886), and 6 (n = 788) and 11 years later (n = 501)), participants underwent an interview and a standardized clinical examination that included a food questionnaire, and thyroid hormone and urinary iodine determinations. Subjects with thyroid dysfunction, palpable goiter or urinary iodine excretion >400 μg/L were excluded.

RESULTS

Urinary iodine increased over the years (100.6 ± 70.0 μg/L at baseline vs. 125.4 ± 95.2 μg/L at 6 years and 141.6 ± 81.4 μg/L at 11 years; p < 0.0001). Urinary iodine was significantly higher in subjects who reported iodized salt consumption and in subjects with a higher intake of dairy products (p < 0.05). Consumption of iodized salt (Risk ratio (RR) = 1.23, 95% CI [1.01-2.05]) and dairy products (RR = 2.07, 95% CI [1.01-4.23]), and a baseline urinary iodine concentration ≥100 μg/L (RR = 1.26, 95% CI [1.04-1.53]) were significantly associated with urinary iodine concentrations ≥100 μg/L at 11 years. There is no correlation between thyroid function (TSH, free triiodothyronine or free thyroxine levels) and urinary iodine concentrations in conditions of iodine sufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in urinary iodine concentrations over eleven years is associated with an increase in iodized salt intake and with the dairy products intake, and possibly with a higher iodine content of dairy products. However, individual variability in urinary iodine excretion was not fully explained by dietary iodine intake alone; previous urinary iodine concentrations were also important.

Risk factors associated with retinal vein occlusion

AIMS

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the most frequent retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy in which arterial risk factors are much more relevant than venous factors. The objective was to evaluate the role of risk factors in the development of the first episode of RVO.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

One hundred patients with RVO [mean age 56 years, 42% females and mean body mass index (BMI) 27.5 kg/m(2)] were recruited consecutively from the outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Valencia (Spain). All subjects underwent clinical assessment including anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and laboratory test including homocysteine, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLAs) and thrombophilia studies. In half of the subjects, a carotid ultrasonography was performed. Three control populations matched by age, sex and BMI from different population-based studies were used to compare the levels and prevalence of arterial risk factors. One cohort of young patients with venous thromboembolic disease was used to compare the venous risk factors.

RESULTS

Blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension were significantly higher in the RVO population when compared with those for the general populations. There was also a large proportion of undiagnosed hypertension within the RVO group. Moreover, carotid evaluation revealed that a large proportion of patients with RVO had evidence of subclinical organ damage. In addition, homocysteine levels and prevalence of aPLAs were similar to the results obtained in our cohort of venous thromboembolic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that hypertension is the key factor in the development of RVO, and that RVO can be the first manifestation of an undiagnosed hypertension. Furthermore, the majority of these patients had evidence of atherosclerotic disease. Among the venous factors, a thrombophilia study does not seem to be useful and only the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and aPLAs is higher than in the general population.

Serum sCD163 levels are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and are influenced by coffee and wine consumption: results of the Di@bet.es study

OBJECTIVE

Serum levels of soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and its scavenger receptor CD163 (sCD163) have been linked to insulin resistance. We analysed the usefulness of these cytokines as biomarkers of type 2 diabetes in a Spanish cohort, together with their relationship to food consumption in the setting of the Di@bet.es study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, matched case-control study of 514 type 2 diabetes subjects and 517 controls with a Normal Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (NOGTT), using data from the Di@bet.es study. Study variables included clinical and demographic structured survey, food frequency questionnaire and physical examination. Serum concentrations of sTWEAK and sCD163 were measured by ELISA. Linear regression analysis determined which variables were related to sTWEAK and sCD163 levels. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odd ratios of presenting type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

sCD163 concentrations and sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were 11.0% and 15.0% higher, respectively, (P<0.001) in type 2 diabetes than in controls. Following adjustment for various confounders, the OR for presenting type 2 diabetes in subjects in the highest vs the lowest tertile of sCD163 was [(OR), 2,01 (95%CI, 1,46-2,97); P for trend <0.001]. Coffee and red wine consumption was negatively associated with serum levels of sCD163 (P = 0.0001 and; P = 0.002 for coffee and red wine intake, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

High circulating levels of sCD163 are associated with type 2 diabetes in the Spanish population. The association between coffee and red wine intake and these biomarkers deserves further study to confirm its potential role in type 2 diabetes.

Methylation levels of the SCD1 gene promoter and LINE-1 repeat region are associated with weight change: an intervention study

SCOPE

Epigenetic processes may be affected by environmental factors. DNA methylation measured in LINE-1 elements (LINE-1, long interspersed nucleotide element-1) correlates with LINE-1 DNA methylation. Variations in stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) activity (a key enzyme in the fatty acid metabolism) may be involved in various processes that can lead to diseases such as obesity. We evaluated whether changes in diet after a nutritional intervention would be associated with changes in LINE-1 DNA methylation and/or specific methylation of SCD1 gene promoter.

METHODS AND RESULTS

DESIGN

Prospective cohort intervention study with a control group. We recorded phenotypic, anthropometric, biochemical, and nutritional information at baseline and 1 year later. DNA methylation was quantified by pyrosequencing. LINE-1 DNA methylation and SCD1 gene promoter methylation levels were similar at the beginning of the study in both populations, whereas after a year these levels were higher in the control group (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, those subjects who lost weight showed higher levels of SCD1 gene promoter methylation after the intervention. Subjects with lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet experienced larger changes in LINE-1 methylation.

CONCLUSION

DNA methylation levels were associated with weight change and with adherence to a Mediterranean diet.

Use of drugs related to the treatment of diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population. The Di@bet.es study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To assess the patterns of use of 8 therapeutic drug groups for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular risk factors, and to identify sociodemographic and health determinants of their use in the overall Spanish population.

METHODS

A representative sample of the Spanish population within the Di@bet.es study, a cross-sectional population-based survey, was included.

STUDY VARIABLES

sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle data; physical examination, and an oral glucose tolerance test in patients without known diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, patients were systematically queried about current medication use, and 8 pharmacotherapeutic groups were evaluated: lipid-lowering therapy, antihypertensives, oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, thyroid hormone, uricosurics, psychoactive drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

RESULTS

Sixty-six percent of the Spanish population was taking at least one medication. Therapeutic drug use was associated with age, independently of the higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia in older patients. Sex disparities were found in the use of lipid-lowering agents, allopurinol, levothyroxine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and psychoactive drugs. Use of psychoactive drugs was related to education level, work status, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Almost 30% of patients with diabetes mellitus were taking 6 or more medications daily. Diabetes mellitus was associated with greater use of antihypertensives, lipid-lowering agents, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and sex are the most important factors determining therapeutic drug use. Lifestyle patterns and sociocultural factors have an impact only on psychoactive drug use. Diabetes mellitus is associated with greater use of antihypertensives, lipid-lowering agents, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in Andalusia (southern Spain). Comparison with national prevalence data. The Di@bet.es study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalences of obesity, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in the region of Andalusia with those in the rest of Spain.

METHODS

The Di@bet.es study is a national, cross-sectional, population-based survey of cardiometabolic risk factors and their association with lifestyle. The sample consisted of 5103 participants ≥ 18 years. The variables analyzed were clinical, demographic and lifestyle survey, physical examination, and oral glucose tolerance test. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Andalusia (n=1517) was compared with that for the rest of Spain (n=3586).

RESULTS

In data adjusted to the Spanish population, the prevalence of diabetes (World Health Organization, 1999), hypertension (blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg), high-sensitivity CRP levels (≥ 3 mg/L) and obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) were 16.3%, 43.9%, 32.0%, and 37.0% in Andalusia compared with 12.5%, 39.9%, 28.3%, and 26.6% in the rest of Spain (P<.001 for differences except P=.01 for the difference in high-sensitivity CRP levels). The corresponding figures for the Andalusia data adjusted to the Andalusian population were 15.3%, 42.3%, 31.4%, and 34.0%, respectively. Differences in diabetes, hypertension and high-sensitivity CRP were not significant in models adjusted for age, sex, and adiposity measurements. Differences in obesity were not significant in models adjusted for age, sex, educational level, marital status, work status, and physical activity (P=.086) CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes information from a national study perspective and shows a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in southern Spain, in close relation to obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and markers of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Does dietary iodine regulate oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in human breast milk?

Little is known about the association between iodine and human milk composition. In this study, we investigated the association between iodine and different markers of oxidative stress and obesity-related hormones in human breast milk. This work is composed of two cross-sectional studies (in lactating women and in the general population), one prospective and one in vitro. In the cross-sectional study in lactating women, the breast milk iodine correlated negatively with superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and with adiponectin levels. An in vitro culture of human adipocytes with 1 μM potassium iodide (KI, dose similar to the human breast milk iodine concentration) produced a significant decrease in adiponectin, GSH-Px, SOD1, and SOD2 mRNA expression. However, after 2 months of treatment with KI in the prospective study, a positive correlation was found between 24-h urinary iodine and serum adiponectin. Our observations lead to the hypothesis that iodine may be a factor directly involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in human breast milk.

Prevalence of plasma lipid abnormalities and its association with glucose metabolism in Spain: the di@bet.es study

INTRODUCTION

Dyslipidemia is a significant contributor to the elevated CVD risk observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus. We assessed the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its association with glucose metabolism status in a representative sample of the adult population in Spain and the percentage of subjects at guideline-recommended LDL-C goals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The di@bet.es study is a national, cross-sectional population-based survey of 5728 adults.

RESULTS

A total of 4776 subjects were studied. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed in 56.8% of subjects; only 13.2% of subjects were treated with lipid lowering drugs. Lipid abnormalities were found in 56.8% of Spanish adults: 23.3% with high LDL-C, 21.5% high TG, 35.8% high non-HDL-C, and 17.2% low HDL-C. Most normal subjects showed an LDL-C ≤ 3.36 mmol/l. Pre-diabetics presented similar proportion when considering a goal of 3.36 mmol/l, but only 35% of them reached an LDL-C goal ≤ 2.6 mmol/l. Finally, 45.3% of diabetics had an LDL-C ≤ 2.6 mmol/l, and only 11.3% achieved an LDL-C ≤ 1.8 mmol/l.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in the adult Spanish population, and a low use of lipid-lowering drugs. Moreover, the number of subjects achieving their corresponding LDL-C goal is small, particularly in subjects at high cardiovascular risk, such as diabetics.

Maternal-fetal thyroid function at the time of birth and its relation with iodine intake

BACKGROUND

The effects of moderate variations in dietary iodine intake on maternal and fetal thyroid function are poorly understood. Recent studies question the usefulness of neonatal screening of congenital hypothyroidism as a tool for monitoring iodine deficiency. We proposed to test the hypothesis of an association between iodine intake during the last trimester of pregnancy and fetal thyroid function at the time of birth.

METHODS

The study was undertaken at term in 233 healthy pregnant women (29.7±5.6 years) and in their newborn. Inclusion of women in the study was done within the 24 hours before delivery.

RESULTS

The median maternal urinary iodine concentration was 126.5 μg/L. The maternal free triiodothyronine (FT3), although not thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), correlated significantly with the urinary iodine concentration (r=0.17, p=0.013). The cord blood TSH, FT4, and FT3 correlated positively with the maternal urinary iodine concentration at the time of delivery (r=0.24, p=0.001; r=0.16, p=0.032; and r=0.24, p=0.003, respectively). The cord blood and heel blood TSH correlated positively with the amniotic fluid iodine concentration (r=0.21, p=0.015 and r=0.15, p=0.036). The cord blood TSH correlated positively with the cord blood FT4 (r=0.21, p=0.022) and FT3 (r=0.32, p=0.017). The maternal TSH correlated significantly with the cord blood TSH (r=0.22, p=0.014) and with the heel blood TSH (r=0.13, p=0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show the presence of a positive association of TSH-FT4 at the time of delivery, which may be modulated by the amount of iodine consumed by the mother during pregnancy.

[Glycemic variability and oxidative stress in children, with type 1 diabetes attending a summer camp]

OBJECTIVE

To assess glycemic variability, oxidative stress and their relationship in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) attending a summer camp.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Cross-sectional study that included 54 children and adolescents with T1DM aged 7-16, attending a 7 day summer camp. Sociodemographic information, clinical data, and blood glucose values measured using an Accu-Chek Nano® glucose meter were recorded. Glucose variability markers (standard deviation [SD], low blood glucose index [LBGI], high blood glucose index [HBGI], mean amplitude of glycemic excursions [MAGE] and mean of daily differences [MODD]) were calculated. Oxidative stress was assessed by the measurement of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) in a 24-hour urine sample collected at the end of the camp in 14 children.

RESULTS

The Median SD, MAGE and MODD indexes were in the high range (61, 131 and 58 mg/dl, respectively), LBGI in the moderate range (3.3), and HBGI in the low range (4.5). The mean HbA1c was 7.6% and the median urinary excretion rate of 8-iso-PGF2α was 864.39 pg/mg creatinine. The Spearman correlation coefficients between markers of glycemic variability (SD, HBGI, MAGE, MODD) were significant. Non-significant correlations were found between markers of glycemic variability and urinary 8-iso-PGF2α.

CONCLUSIONS

High glycemic variability was observed in children and adolescents attending a summer camp. However, no correlations were found between markers of glycemic variability and oxidative stress measured by urinary 8-iso-PGF2α. Further studies are needed to address the relationship between oxidative stress and glycemic variability in children with T1DM.