Prevalence of LDL-hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular risk factors in young people with type 1 diabetes

Background: Mortality and morbidity in people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is mainly caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early treatment of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) is of great importance.Objective: To analyze the prevalence of LDL-hypercholesterolemia and other CVRFs in youth with T1D.Methods: Clinical and laboratory parameters, and vascular thickness measurement were ob-tained in youth with T1D (age 6-18 years, T1D duration > 1 year) attending a diabetes clinic. LDL-hypercholesterolemia, microalbuminuria and arterial hypertension were defined as CVRFs.Results: A total of 333 youth (48% girls; age: 13.3 years [10.3-15.5], median [interquartile range]) participated in the study. The T1D duration was 5.9 years [3.5-9.4] with HbA1c of 7.4% [6.8-8.0]. In -tima media thickness (N = 223) was 538.0 mu m [470.0-618.0]). LDL-hypercholesterolemia was present in 30 participants (9%; 18 girls; age: 14.3 years [11.2-15.7]). None of the participants had persistent microalbuminuria, although 59 (18.3%) had elevated albumin excretion in a random urine specimen. LDL-hypercholesterolemia was associated with increased blood pressure (p < 0.05), insulin requirement (p < 0.05), HbA1c (p < 0.05), triglyceride (p < 0.001) and total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and a family history of premature CVD (p < 0.001), but negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Sex, pubertal status, duration of diabetes, type of therapy, and physical activity did not differ between participants with and without LDL-hypercholesterolemia. Arterial hypertension was present in 11 participants (3.3%; 4 girls; age: 14.1 years [11.1-16.1]).Conclusion: LDL-hypercholesterolemia affected 9% of youth with T1D in this cohort and was as-sociated with other CVRFs. A holistic therapeutic concept for these young people is essential.(c) 2023 National Lipid Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.