title: Serum beta 2-microglobulin level in type I diabetes: its dependence on the duration of diabetes and the quality of metabolic control.
abstract: As the level of serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) has been shown to reflect renal function, its concentration was determined in serum and urine of patients affected by diabetes type I of various duration and quality of metabolic control. 104 diabetic patients, aged 7-39 (mean, 14.8) years, with an average duration of diabetes of 5.7 +/- 4.8 years studied as outpatients. Haemoglobin A1, beta 2-M in serum and urine, serum creatinine and protein were determined. The patients were classified into groups according to the quality of control (excellent, satisfactory or poor) and the duration of diabetes (less than 5 years, 5-8 years, more than 8 years). In patients with a duration of less than five years, lower beta 2-M levels were found if the quality of metabolic control was good than in patients controlled poorly (1.36 and 1.64 mg/l, respectively). Again in the group with a duration exceeding 8 years, patients with better control had a lower beta 2-M level than poorly controlled ones. Diabetes exhibiting a beta 2-M level higher than 1.6 mg/l, the upper limit of the normal range, had had diabetes for 8.6 years on the average, while those with a normal serum value only for 3.8 years. These findings have also been confirmed in 47 type I diabetics participating in a holiday camp.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin