Department of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
In Malaysia, the estimated prevalence of children and adolescents with type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was 17.7% of all paediatric patients with diabetes (DiCARE Annual Report 2006-2007). We report the characteristics and outcomes of patients with type 2 DM in Hospital Putrajaya.

METHODLOGY
Data retrieved from the electronic database were reviewed. All patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attending the Paediatric Clinic Hospital Putrajaya from January 2012 until December 2022 were included. Data were presented as mean, median and percentages.

RESULTS
There was a total of 41 patients reviewed. The mean age of presentation was 11 ± 1.9 years old with a median diabetes duration of 4.3 ± 2.1 years. A majority (68.3%) presented between 10 to < 15 years old, predominantly females (63.4%) and of Malay ethnicity (65.8%). All patients had negative diabetes autoantibodies, 82.9% were obese and 92.6% had positive family history of diabetes. At presentation, 14.6% of patients had diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The mean fasting blood sugar was 11.3 ± 3.8 mmol/L and the mean HbA1c was 11.4 ± 3.2%. Diabetes-related complications namely hypertension, dyslipidaemia, microalbuminuria and retinopathy were observed in 24.4%, 17.5%, 17.1% and 4.9% of patients, respectively.
Dyslipidaemia was detected at 2.4 ± 2.6 years, retinopathy at 2.5 ± 0.7, hypertension at 3 ± 2.3 years and microalbuminuria was detected at 3.5 ± 1.3 years from onset of DM. There were 80.6% of patients who required insulin at initial presentations and 74.3% still needed combination therapy with metformin later on. At the end of the follow-up, only 12.1.% of patients achieved HbA1c < 6.5%, while 51.2% had HbA1c >10%.

CONCLUSION
Paediatric Type 2 diabetes patients had poor glycaemic control with early development of complications. A multidisciplinary approach with an individualised management plan is needed to prevent the progression of the disease.