Teenage girls with type 1 diabetes have poorer metabolic control than boys and face more complications in early adulthood

Aims: To compare metabolic control between males and females with type 1 diabetes during adolescence and as young adults, and relate it to microvascular complications. Methods: Data concerning 4000 adolescents with type 1 diabetes registered in the Swedish paediatric diabetes quality registry, and above the age of 18 years in the Swedish National Diabetes Registry was used. Results: When dividing HbA1c values in three groups; < 7.4% (57 mmol/mol), 7.4-93% (57-78 mmol/mol) and >9.3% (78 mmol/mol), there was a higher proportion of females in the highest group during adolescence. In the group with the highest HbA1c values during adolescence and as adults, 51.7% were females, expected value 46.2%; in the group with low HbA1c values in both registries, 34.2% were females, p < 0.001. As adults, more females had retinopathy, p < 0.05. Females had higher mean HbAlc values at diagnosis, 112 vs. 10.9% (99 vs. 96 mmol/mol), p < 0.03, during adolescence, 8.5 vs. 82% (69 vs. 66 mmol/mol) p < 0.01, but not as young adults. Conclusions: Worse glycaemic control was found in adolescent females, and they had a higher frequency of microvascular complications. Improved paediatric diabetes care is of great importance for increasing the likelihood of lower mortality and morbidity later in life. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.