"Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in adults with diabetes, but until now, little was known about the effects of type 1 diabetes on cardiovascular health in youth," said Kristen Nadeau, MD, of the University of Colorado Denver, and lead author of the study. "Our data suggests that while youth with type 1 diabetes may not present conditions typical of insulin resistance, such as obesity, insulin resistance is present and may affect long-term cardiovascular outcomes in this population."

"Our study is one of the first definitive studies showing the presence of insulin resistance in youth with type 1 diabetes and this may have significant implications for the cardiovascular health of these patients," said Nadeau. "Increasing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance in adolescents with type 1 diabetes will direct future research and therapeutic interventions. If insulin resistance is addressed early in the care of patients with type 1 diabetes, it may be possible to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population."

SOURCE The Endocrine Society