AN AUDIT OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS IN RELATION TO GLYCAEMIC CONTROL AND METABOLIC PROFILE IN A TERTIARY CENTRE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease affecting children and young adults which poses challenges to healthcare systems due to its associated microvascular and macrovascular complications. There is currently very little data focusing on this issue in Malaysia. We aim to review the glycaemic control, metabolic profile and prevalence of acute and chronic complications of patients with T1D at the Endocrine Institute.

METHODOLOGY
A retrospective review was conducted using electronic medical records of patients who consulted in outpatient clinics at the Endocrine Institute between 1st December 2021 to 30th November 2022. A descriptive analysis exploring the association between glycaemic control, metabolic profile, complications treatment regimens and patient characteristics was done using SPSS version 21.

RESULT
A total of 143 patients were included. Glycaemic control and metabolic profiles were notably poor in this population with mean HbA1c and FBS of 9.0% and 10.0 mmol/L, respectively. LDL were elevated (>2.6 mmol/L) in nearly 80% of patients and 57.4% of patients were overweight or obese. Microvascular complications were predominant, with at least one-third of patients experiencing diabetic nephropathy or retinopathy.

CONCLUSION
This study found that these patients had poor overall glycaemic control and metabolic profiles, resulting in high incidence rates of chronic complications. This warrants a review of the management of T1D with emphasis on multidisciplinary specialised care and support required by these patients to improve outcomes.