AIMS: The incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing in many parts of Asia, where resources may not enable targets for glycemic control to be achieved. The aims of this study were to describe glycemic control, diabetes care, and complications in youth with type 1 diabetes from the Western Pacific Region and to identify factors associated with glycemic control and hypoglycemia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional clinic-based study on 2312 children and adolescents (aged <18 years; 45% males) from 96 pediatric diabetes centers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand was conducted. Clinical and management details were recorded, and finger-pricked blood samples were obtained for central glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)).
RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 12.5 years [interquartile range (IQR)=9.4-15.3 years]; diabetes duration, 4.4 years (IQR=2.5-7.2 years); and HbA(1c) level, 8.3% (IQR 7.4%-9.7%). Insulin treatment consisted of one or two daily injections in 61% of the patients (range=22%-90% by country), and home blood glucose monitoring (range=67%-100%) was practiced by 96%. HbA(1c) level was significantly associated with country, age, diabetes duration, sex, insulin dose per kilogram, insulin regimen, and frequency of home blood glucose measurement in multiple regression analysis. The incidence of severe hypoglycemia, defined as any episode requiring assistance in the previous 3 months, was 73 per 100 patient-years and was associated with country, male sex, higher HbA(1c) level, an insulin regimen with three or more injections, and more frequent home blood glucose testing. The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis was 10 per 100 patient-years and was associated with country, higher HbA(1c) level, and higher insulin dose per kilogram.
CONCLUSIONS: There is marked variability in glycemic control, hypoglycemia, complication rates, and diabetes care among children from the Western Pacific Region. Most are not achieving adequate glycemic control, placing them at high risk of microvascular complications.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the glycaemic control, diabetes care and prevalence of complications in youth with type 2 diabetes from the Western Pacific Region.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, clinic-based audit of 331 patients aged < 18 years from 56 centres in Australia, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, China-Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Clinical and management data were recorded along with glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), lipids and complication rates.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycaemic control, complications, diabetes management.
RESULTS: Median age was 14.9 years (interquartile range 13.2-16.4 years) and median diabetes duration 2.3 years (1.4-3.6 years). Median HbA(1c) was 7% (5.9-9.9%) and HbA(1c) was > 7.5% in 40% of patients. In multiple regression analysis, glycaemic control varied significantly between countries (p = 0.02); higher HbA(1c) was associated with fewer home blood glucose measurements (p = 0.005) and higher insulin dose/kg (p < 0.0001). Blood glucose monitoring was performed by 65% of patients (range 33-96% by country). In 25% of patients, management consisted of diet alone or no treatment (range 0-53% by country); oral anti-diabetic drugs alone were used in 49%, insulin alone in 11% and both in 15%. Microalbuminuria was found in 8% and hypertension in 24%. The risk of hypertension increased with higher BMI (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09-1.24, p < 0.0001); antihypertensive agents were used in 4% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The management of type 2 diabetes in youth from the Western Pacific Region varies widely. Hypertension and microalbuminuria were frequent, but not commonly treated. Further investigation into the natural history and risk factors for complications in youth with type 2 diabetes is required to assist in developing evidence based management guidelines.