Characterization of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Southern Brazil: Chronic complications and associated factors

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of chronic vascular complications and associated factors in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods. Cross-sectional study with type 1 DM patients seen in the Endocrinology Division of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Patients were evaluated for presence of chronic vascular complications. Results. We evaluated 573 patients, mean age of 33 years. The presence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was observed in 43.3%. Diabetes duration [OR: 1.07, CI95%: 1.03 to 1.11, P <0.001], presence of diabetic nephropathy (DN) [OR: 3.40; CI95%: 1.89 to 6.13, P <0.001] and hypertension (HPT) [OR: 2.12, CI95%: 1.16 to 3.87, P = 0.014] were associated with DR. The DN was present in 34.5% and was associated with HPT [OR: 1.93, CI95%: 1.16 to 3.21, P = 0.001] and total cholesterol [OR: 1.0, CI95%: 1.0-1.01, P = 0.05]. Seven patients had macrovascular disease. Only 22% achieved an HbA1c of <7.0%. HPT prevalence was 33%, and 48% had blood pressure levels <130/80 mmHg and 45% of the patients had LDL values > 100 mg/dl. conclusion. We observed a high prevalence of microvascular complications and HPT. The duration of DM, HPT and presence of DN were associated with DR. HPT and dyslipidemia were associated with DN. Most patients did not meet the desired glycaemic control, blood pressure and lipid targets. Greater efforts are needed to intensify the pressure and metabolic control of patients with type 1 DM.