Seasonal variations of glucose control in Lebanese patients with type 1 diabetes

The purpose of this study is to investigate the seasonal variations in glucose control in a population of Lebanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Around 1000 patients were involved in the study over three years and the mean percentage HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c) values were compared between summer and winter. The mean % HbA1c of winter (8.6%) was significantly higher than that of summer (8.0%) (p < 0.001). Percentage glycosylated hemoglobin among a population of more than 1000 young type 1 Lebanese diabetics fluctuated seasonally with significantly lower levels and better glucose control during the warm months of the year in spring and summer compared to the colder months of the year. This pattern followed trends similar to those of many physiologic markers, cardiovascular outcome and mortality.