Ombudsman's second report, and tobacco

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in children of parents with diabetes mellitus

The aim of this prospective study was to research features of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in offspring of diabetic parents and to find out whether there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in these children. Study participants were 30 children of parents with type 1 DM (DM1) (Group I) and 11 children of parents with type 2 DM (DM2) (Group II) who were being followed up in the Diabetes Department of Haseki Research and Training Hospital. The results were compared with a control group of 17 children in the same age group (Group III). There were no statistically significant differences between the Group I and the control group in fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test values, 1st 2nd and hour insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) values, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid parameters, i.e. HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Fasting, 1st and 2nd hour blood insulin levels, HOMA values, BMI, and systolic blood pressure values were significantly higher in Group II compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between Group II and the control group in lipid parameters, fasting blood glucose, OGTT values, or diastolic blood pressure. We conclude that in our population there is a tendency of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in the offspring of parents with DM2, and a risk for developing DM2. Thus, children of patients with DM2 should be followed up so as to recognize early metabolic defects of glucose metabolism and to plan effective preventive efforts to reduce cardiovascular and atherosclerotic risk factors.

Short-term insulin therapy in adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The optimum pharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in youth for those who fail to achieve adequate glycemic control (HbA1c <7%) with lifestyle intervention is unknown. The aim of this pilot study was to observe the effect of short-term insulin therapy (<16 weeks duration) on glycemic control in youth with DM2. A pre-mix 30/70 insulin was given twice daily to 18 youth aged 10-18 years with DM2 for 8.7+/-4.3 weeks with a starting dose of 0.5 U/kg/day. HbA1c, body mass index (BMI) and episodes of hypoglycemia were monitored during the treatment period and for a 12-month period after insulin was stopped. Mean HbA1c decreased from 12.81% to 7.59% (95% CI 6.54, 8.64). This improvement persisted for 12 months without any further drug therapy. There was no significant change in mean BMI and there were no episodes of moderate or severe hypoglycemia. Decreasing beta-cell glucose toxicity with rapid improvement of blood glucose may play an important role in treatment of DM2 in adolescents. Early success in achieving target blood glucose levels is an important aspect of adolescent DM2 care.