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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