Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and is responsible for a significant reduction in life expectancy. OBJECTIVE: To compare the arterial stiffness indices, arterial compliance and vascular resistance assessed centrally and peripherally between healthy adolescents and young adults (CTRL group) and those with T1DM. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional study involving 90 adolescents and young adults, with half of them being considered healthy (n = 45) and the other half with T1DM (n = 45), matched by age and sex. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated using the oscillometric method of brachial artery pressure assessment for a noninvasive estimation of central arterial pressures. RESULTS: Weight and body mass index were significantly higher in the T1DM group. AIx@75 was significantly higher in the T1DM group (24.96% ± 8.88%) compared to the CTRL (20.16% ± 9.95%). Peripheral and central arterial compliance were significantly lower in the T1DM group (0.79 ± 0.21; 1.16 ± 0.27 ml/m(2)/mmHg) compared to the CTRL (0.98 ± 0.32; 1.47 ± 0.61 ml/m(2)/mmHg). Peripheral and central vascular resistance were significantly higher in the T1DM group (1.32 ± 0.32; 0.91 ± 0.21 mmHg/ml/m(2)) compared to the CTRL (1.11 ± 0.30; 0.75 ± 0.22 mmHg/ml/m(2)). CONCLUSION: Our data confirm premature aging of the vascular system in adolescents and young adults with T1DM and extend our knowledge by showing important changes in central and peripheral hemodynamics indices.