Incidence of and risk factors for hospitalisations due to vascular complications: A population-based type 1 diabetes cohort (n=1316) followed into early adulthood.

Aim: To determine the incidence of hospitalisations and risk factors for vascular complications experienced during early adulthood in patients with childhood onset type 1 diabetes.
Methods: A population-based childhood onset type 1 diabetes cohort was identified from a statewide register (1992-2012). Data linkage was used to identify a matched comparison cohort. Hospital admissions data were extracted to follow up both cohorts into early adulthood (1975-2012).
Results: The type 1 diabetes cohort (n=1316) had a mean age of diagnosis of 9.5years, 49.5% were women and mean age at the end of follow-up was 26.3years (range 18-38). Within the type 1 diabetes cohort 32 (2.4%) were hospitalised with a vascular complication during early adulthood. Poor glycaemic control during paediatric management was associated with a significant increase in risk for ophthalmic complication with 19.4% (n=12/62) of those with a mean HbA1c >12% (108mmol/mol) diagnosed compared to 0.72% (n=5/696) of those with mean HbA1c <9% (75mmol/mol), adjusted hazard ratio 8.4 (95% CI 2.0, 34.7).
Conclusion: Severe vascular complications requiring hospital admission continue to be observed during early adulthood. Both women and those with poor glycaemic control are at increased risk of requiring a hospital admission for these complications during early adulthood.
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