Incidence and Development of Diabetic Microangiopathy of Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes -Comparison with Non-fulminant Type 1 Diabetes-

Abstract

Objective The data from the Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes Committee suggested that patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes are a subgroup at high risk for diabetic microangiopathy in the first 5 years after diagnosis associated with the lack of endogenous insulin secretion from the onset of diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the development of microangiopathy in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes followed in our diabetes center.
Methods Sixteen patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes and 60 age-matched patients with non-fulminant type 1 diabetes were recruited as subjects. The existence or lack of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, average HbA_1C level, serum C-peptide level, average blood pressure, insulin level, whether or not they were taking antihypertensive agents, and smoking history were investigated retrospectively based on medical records.
Results The 5-year incidence of microangiopathy was lower in fulminant than in non-fulminant type 1 diabetes patients; retinopathy cases occurred in 0% vs. 8.3% of patients, and nephropathy occurred in 0% vs. 1.7% of patients. The 10-year incidence of retinopathy was 0% vs. 24.1%, and that of nephropathy was 11.1% vs. 3.4%. The cumulative incidence of microangiopathy did not differ between the fulminant and non-fulminant type 1 diabetes patients. Mean HbA_1C levels and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower in fulminant type 1 diabetes patients.
Conclusion No difference between the patients visiting the center with fulminant type 1 diabetes and those with non-fulminant type 1 diabetes was observed in the development of microangiopathy complications.