Clinical profile of diabetes in young adults aged 15 to 30 years

Abstract

Background: There is a shift in age of onset of diabetes to a younger age in the recent years. There are very few data available on diabetes in the youth. Hence the study has been undertaken. Objective of the study is to describe the clinical profile of young diabetics and to estimate burden of selected end organ complications at the time of study.Methods: A hospital based Cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre among 75 young diabetic patients (aged 15-30 years). After taking informed consent, detailed history clinical examination, biochemical investigations like FBS and 2 hours PPBS, HbA1c, lipid profile, screening for neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy were done.Results: The mean age of the study population was 26.35±3.8 years, majority were males (62.7 %), 77.3% have positive family history. Mean BMI was 24.8±4.6 kg/m2, 45.3% were overweight ,20 % were obese. The mean FBS levels was 216.63±73.46 mg/dl, 2 hr PPBS 261.51±80.0 mg/dl and mean HbA1c 8.66±1.34 %. The total cholesterol level was higher in 46.7%, with mean of 198.4±21.0. Mean triglyceride level was 136.99±38.9. Nephropathy was present in 25.3%, retinopathy in 13.3% and neuropathy in 9.3 % of the patients. 30.6% had at least one of the three complications. SBP was associated with neuropathy(p=0.030), DBP with retinopathy(p=0.029) and neuropathy(p=0.007) and high FBS levels with retinopathy(p<0.001) and neuropathy(p<0.001).Conclusion: Microvascular complications in young diabetes is alarmingly high. Regular screening, early detection, adequate control of FBS and BP may improve quality of life.