Female sex as a risk factor for glycemic control and complications in Iranian patients with type one diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sex on glycemic control, diabetes complications and associated abnormalities in patients with type one diabetes mellitus. In a cross-sectional study in 309 patients [156 females and 153 males within the age range of 3-16 years] with type one diabetes mellitus referred to endocrinology clinic in Children's Medical Center in Tehran from March 2005 to March 2007 gender differences in diabetes control were analyzed. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], was significantly higher in females [9.25 vs. 8.01]. Insulin dose per kilogram of body weight was significantly more in girls [0.91 +/- 0.31 vs. 0.74 +/- 0.37, P<0.001] self monitoring of blood glucose was performed significantly more in boys. Frequency of Diabetic ketoacidosis, height growth problems and dyslipidemia were significantly higher in girls. 1.20 +/- 0.86 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.55, P=0.004], [-0.05 +/- 1.20 vs. -0.41 +/- 1.17, P=0.015], [134.60 +/- 44.43 vs. 110.56 +/- 20.72, P=<0.001] respectively. Female sex is a risk factor in glycemic control and complications of diabetes type I and females should be managed more seriously regarding self monitoring of blood glucose, nutritional and psychological factors and puberty issues