Study finds 1 in 5 youths with diabetes has 2 or more risk factors for early heart disease

With the epidemic of obesity in the United States leading to a greater incidence of diabetes among youth, a new study shows why Americans should not ignore this trend: One in 5 youth with diabetes has already developed 2 or more additional risk factors for premature heart disease.

A recent issue of Diabetes Care also includes new treatment guidelines developed by the American Diabetes Association to help physicians choose the most appropriate therapies for lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Overall, roughly 20% of young people with diabetes (92% in those with type 2 and 14% in those with type 1) experience at least two additional cardiovascular disease risk factors, according to a new study sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The study, known as the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study, found that overweight and obesity, high blood pressure and high triglycerides were extremely prevalent among youth with type 2 diabetes and somewhat prevalent among those with type 1 diabetes.

As is the case among adults, CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk factors were higher among minority and ethnic groups than they were among non-Hispanic whites. They were also higher among girls. This study adds to a growing body of research revealing a high prevalence of risk factors for diabetes and premature heart disease among American youth.

The researchers recommended better weight, lipid, and blood pressure control in youth with diabetes to prevent or delay the development of cardiovascular disease as they grow up.

Management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes is extremely important, especially given the increased prevalence of this disease. Studies have shown that maintaining blood glucose levels as close to the nondiabetic range as possible helps to prevent the serious complications of type 2 diabetes, such as eye and kidney disease and nerve damage. Lowering blood glucose levels has also been shown to prevent heart disease in people with type 1 diabetes.

To help physicians select the most appropriate and effective therapies for lowering blood glucose levels, the American Diabetes Association has published in Diabetes Care a consensus statement describing the treatment of elevated blood glucose. The guidelines urge physicians to make "normal" glycemic levels a goal for most patients (i.e. an A1C level less than 6.1%, with any A1C greater than or equal to 7% a call to adjust therapy); to first attempt to lower blood glucose levels with lifestyle interventions and the drug metformin; to add any one of three classes of medications if glycemic levels are not quickly achieved; to use insulin therapy when other treatment options do not result in patients achieving their target goals; and to initiate and adjust interventions rapidly to lower glycemic levels to target, with adjustments usually no less frequent than every 3 months.