Improved glycemic control reduces the impact of weight gain on cardiovascular risk factors in type 1 diabetes. The Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and incidence of being overweight in type 1 diabetes, to identify factors associated with weight gain and improved glycemic control, and to examine relationships among weight gain, glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk factors.


METHODS
The prevalence and incidence of being overweight in the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications (EDC) cohort (n = 441) were compared with the general population (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES]). Factors associated with weight gain and improved glycemic control were identified, and relationships among weight gain, glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk factors were examined over a 6.9 +/- 2.2-year period.


RESULTS
At baseline, the prevalence of being overweight (BMI > 27.8 kg/m2 for men and > 27.3 kg/m2 for women) was 10.4 and 11.4%, respectively, and was lower than the age- and sex-specific estimate for the general population (P < 0.05). The incidence of being overweight was comparable in men (12.6%) and women (11.8%) and did not differ from the general population (P = 0.98). Weight gain correlated with improvements in HbA1c (r = -0.21, P < 0.001). Patients with the highest baseline HbA1c levels gained the most weight and had the greatest improvement in glycemic control. A lower baseline BMI was also associated with a greater improvement in glycemic control. Weight gain favorably influenced the lipid profile in the setting of improved glycemic control, but adversely influenced the lipid profile in the absence of improved glycemic control. Weight change was directly associated with blood pressure change, but the incidence of hypertension was more strongly influenced by the development of nephropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of being overweight in type 1 diabetes remains lower than that in the general population. Moderate weight gain did not adversely affect the cardiovascular risk profile in the setting of improved glycemic control.
Williams
K V
KV
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. williamsky@msx.upmc.edu
Erbey
J R
JR
Becker
D
D
Orchard
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids