• Audrey Melvin, Lynn Redahan, Mensud Hatunic, and Siobhán E McQuaid.
• Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. melvinaudrey83@gmail.com.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2019 Feb 1; 188 (1): 129134129-134.

Background And AimsThe provision of medical care to young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus is challenging. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of microvascular complications and their progression among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending a specialist young adult diabetes service in Ireland.MethodsA retrospective review of 62 (male 56.5%) patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending the young adult diabetes service at our institution was undertaken. Data was recorded across two time points, clinic registration and at 5 years following initial contact.ResultsThe mean ± SD age at first attendance was 17.4 ± 2.0 years. Mean ± SD duration of diabetes was 6.3 ± 3.9 years with most patients treated using multiple daily insulin injections (75.8%). diabetic retinopathy rate at first attendance was 17.7% and after 5 years was 37.1% (p = 0.003). The majority of cases were background retinopathy. The prevalence of diabetic kidney disease was 6.4% and this remained unchanged at follow-up. Mean ± SD HbA1c improved from 76.1 ± 22.4 mmol/mol (9.1 ± 4.2%) to 69.1 ± 14.9 mmol/mol (8.5 ± 3.5%), p = 0.044. Duration of diabetes was the only clinical variable associated with retinopathy risk at 5 years on multiple regression analysis (p = 0.037).ConclusionsDiabetic retinopathy is prevalent in young adults with type 1 diabetes attending specialist secondary care diabetes services. Duration of diabetes was the strongest determinant of retinopathy risk.

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