LACK OF LONG-TERM DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS IN SPITE OF POOR GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN TWINS WITH PURE GONADAL-DYSGENESIS

BACKGROUND - The prepubertal years have little effect on the chronic c omplications of diabetes. Animal studies have shown castration prevent s diabetic complications. No previous data on untreated agonadal human diabetic subjects is available. CASE HISTORY - Clinical study of untr eated agonadal twins with insulin-dependent diabetes for presence of c hronic complications of diabetes. In spite of the twins' poor glycemic control, no evidence of the chronic complications of diabetes was fou nd. CONCLUSIONS - The absence of gonadal sex steroids in the diabetic patient may have a protective effect against the development of the ch ronic complications of diabetes.