GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN EARLY IDDM

OBJECTIVE - A cohort (n = 277) was followed from diabetes diagnosis to evaluate longitudinal glycemic control, urinary C-peptide levels, and certain features of diabetes self-management. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Unselected cases with IDDM, who were < 30 yr of age, were identified at diagnosis from a 28-county area in Wisconsin. Subjects were asked to submit blood every 4 mo for GHb testing, to report aspects of diabetes self-management every 6 mo, and to collect a 24-h urine specimen 4 mo after diagnosis. RESULTS - In the 1st yr of diabetes, the rate of increase (0.23%/mo) in GHb was significant for the cohort (P < 0.001) and for almost all age and sex subgroups. In the 2nd yr, there was no significant rate of increase for the cohort as a whole (P > 0.10). Adolescent males (10-19 yr of age) had a mean GHb level for year 2 higher than males of other age-groups and higher than female adolescents (P < 0.001). Adolescent males had a significant rate of increase in GHb for year 2 (P = 0.02), unlike all other age and sex subgroups. Adolescents had higher initial 24-h urine C-peptide levels than children < 10 yr of age (P < 0.01). During the 2nd yr of diabetes, the percentage of adolescent males reporting three or more insulin injections/day was lower than any other subgroup. CONCLUSIONS - These data suggest that glycemic control stabilizes during the 2nd yr of IDDM, except in adolescent males, and that this may be due partly to aspects of self-management.