Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of different patterns of durable glycemic control on the development of comorbidities among youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to assess the impact of fasting glucose (FG) variability on the clinical course of T2D. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: From the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study, 457 participants (mean age, 14 years) with mean diabetes duration <2 years at entry and a minimum study follow-up of 10 years were included in these analyses. HbA1c, FG concentrations, and β-cell function estimates from oral glucose tolerance tests were measured longitudinally. Prevalence of comorbidities by glycemic control status after 10 years in the TODAY study was assessed. RESULTS: Higher baseline HbA1c concentration, lower β-cell function, and maternal history of diabetes were strongly associated with loss of glycemic control in youth with T2D. Higher cumulative HbA1c concentration over 4 years and greater FG variability over a year within 3 years of diagnosis were related to higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, nephropathy, and retinopathy progression over the subsequent 10 years. A coefficient of variability in FG ≥8.3% predicted future loss of glycemic control and development of comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline HbA1c concentration and FG variability during year 1 accurately predicted youth with T2D who will experience metabolic decompensation and comorbidities. These values may be useful tools for clinicians when considering early intensification of therapy.