Do Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Convey Similar Risk for Complications?
We may think of diabetes as a disease of the young (type 1) or of the middle-aged or older (type 2). In reality, of course, children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) age into adulthood. Moreover, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming increasingly common among youth (who will also age into adulthood).[1]
Not only is T2DM more common, but it also may be more aggressive than T1DM, according to research by Amutha and colleagues.[2]
They identified 108 patients with T1DM and 90 patients with T2DM from electronic medical records who were diagnosed between 10 and 25 years of age and had no evidence of complications. These patients were followed up regularly over a median of 5 years with detailed examinations to assess retinopathy (using retinal photography), nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion ≥ 30 mg/g of creatinine), neuropathy (using biothesiometry), peripheral vascular disease (using ankle-brachial index), and ischemic heart disease (history of myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, ECG changes with Q waves, or drug treatment [aspirin/clopidogrel with vasodilators and/or β-blockers]).[2]
Patients with T1DM were about 4 years younger than those with T2DM (27 vs 31 years at follow-up); duration of diabetes was similar.
