How well are we doing? Metabolic control in patients with diabetes

Objective: To compare the present level of metabolic control in children an d adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) attending Bri sbane paediatric diabetes clinics with published overseas data. Methodology: Blood HbA(1c) concentrations, population characteristics, curr ent treatment practices and short-term complications were recorded in all p atients, aged 19 years and under, attending the diabetes clinics of the two Brisbane Children's Hospitals or the private practice of one of the author s (MJT) in the first quarter of 1998. Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight patients were assessed (M/F 142/126). Ages ranged from 1 to 19 years (mean 11.2 years); duration of IDDM was 0-16 years (mean 4.4 years); and 141 (53%) were pubertal. Of those aged less th an 13 years, only 4% had more than two injections daily. Insulin doses (U/k g/day) rose with increasing age. Larger doses were required in regimens inv olving more than two injections per day than those involving one to two inj ections per day. Ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycaemia in the last 3 months were reported in eight (2.7%) and 17 (6.3%) of patients, respectively. Mean HbA(1c) (+/- SD) was 8.6 +/- 1.4% (range 5.2-14.0%), with 33% of children having a HbA(1c) concentration < 8%. HbA(1c) concentrations were significan tly related (P < 0.05) to insulin dose and to duration of diabetes, but not to severe hypoglycaemia, ketoacidosis, age, frequency of injections, or nu mber of clinic visits per year. Mean HbA(1c) concentration was significantl y higher (P < 0.05) in those children in puberty (8.7 +/- 1.5%) than in tho se not in puberty (8.5 +/- 1.2%). Conclusions: Only 33% of patients had a HbA(1c) concentration less than 8% and 6.3% had a severe hypoglycaemic episode in the 3 months. These results are similar to published overseas data.