Teens With Type 1 Diabetes Prone to Early Development of Atherosclerosis

Since diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels and arteries over time, teens with the condition are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular problems. Researchers from two children's hospitals and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles investigated the effect of type 1 diabetes on a teen's risk of atherosclerosis - the buildup of cholesterol in the inner lining of an artery - which can significantly reduce blood flow through arteries and increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.>

In this study, 142 12- to 25-year-olds with type 1 diabetes underwent testing of blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and other tests. In addition, ultrasound technicians measured the size of the teens' artery walls and blood flow through the arteries. The test results of the teens with type 1 diabetes were compared to the results of the same tests performed on 87 teens who didn't have type 1 diabetes.

Although the diabetic teens were slightly younger than the nondiabetic teens, young people with type 1 diabetes had greater artery wall thickness compared to teens without the disease. Overall, teen boys with diabetes tended to have increased cholesterol buildup in the arteries, whereas the teen girls with diabetes had higher blood cholesterol levels (like increased artery buildup, high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease). Teens who had health complications associated with their diabetes, such as high blood pressure, vision problems, and kidney problems, had significantly thicker artery walls than teens with diabetes who had no complications.

What This Means to You: Increased cholesterol buildup in the lining of the arteries is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke in older adults, and, according to this study, teens with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk for developing thickened artery linings, compared to nondiabetic teens. Teens with type 1 diabetes who already show evidence of suffering health problems related to diabetes are even more likely to have increased artery wall thickening. Your child's doctor or a certified diabetes educator can help you and your child learn the best ways achieve optimal control of diabetes which can help prevent dangerous diabetes complications, such as atherosclerosis.

Source: Jody S. Krantz, MD; Wendy J. Mack, PhD; Howard N. Hodis, MD; Chao-Ran Liu, MD; Ci-Hua Liu, MD; Francine R. Kaufman, MD; Journal of Pediatrics, October 2004

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2004