Study of the difficult glycemic control in relation to the presence of diabetes-autoantibodies in a sample of Egyptians with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

BackgroundT1DM is divided into 1A (immune-mediated), 1B (virus-triggered, genetic and idiopathic). Presence of auto-antibodies may be correlated to glycemic control. AimAssessment relation between the autoantibodies and the poor glycemic control in T1DM. Methods60 patients T1DM 30 males, 30 females, subjected to full history, clinical, anthropometric assessment and laboratory assessment of fasting C-peptide, FBS, 2 h PP glucose, HbA1c, GADA, ICA and IAA level. Classified into two groups; Group I: negative auto-antibodies, Group II: positive auto-antibodies, Group II was further classified into 3 sub-groups, Group II a:1 positive autoantibody, Group II b: 2 positive autoantibodies and Group II c: 3 positive autoantibodies. ResultsHbA1c was significantly higher in group II than group I (11.85 ± 1.61% vs. 8.52 ± 0.41%, p = 0.000). HbA1c was highest in group IIc followed by IIb then IIa (12.25 ± 1.48% vs. 11.57 ± 1.59% vs. 10.78 ± 1.73%, p = 0.038). Total insulin units per day was significantly higher in group II than group I (109.83 ± 7.77 U/day vs. 100.83 ± 1.83 U/day, p = 0.007). Duration of diabetes was significantly higher in group I than group II (10.17 ± 1.94 years vs. 8.11 ± 2.20 years, p = 0.033). HbA1c, total insulin units per day and duration of diabetes were independent predictive factors for presence of autoantibodies (p = 0.007, p = 0.033 and p = 0.043 respectively). ConclusionAutoantibodies affect the glycemic control presented by high HbA1c; also it causes increase in total insulin units needed by patients; the more autoantibodies, the higher HbA1c, the more insulin units required to control glycemic state.