Iranian Journal of

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Increased prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori (HP) infection is a common feature in diabetics, which is attributable to the presence of diverse predisposing factors. In this study, the prevalence of HP infection has been investigated in type 1 diabetic children.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, anti-HP antibody (IgG) was measured in 75 type 1 diabetics (aged 2-18 years) and the results were compared with 75 healthy children who were matched for age, sex and socio-economic status. In seropositive diabetic patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, gastroduodenoscopy was performed to establish the diagnosis.
Results: Sera were positive for anti-HP in 22.7% of diabetics versus 17.3% in controls (P>0.05). No significant difference was observable between seropositive and seronegative diabetic groups as regard to age, sex, age at onset of diabetes, number of outpatient visits during the last 6 months, HbAlc and insulin requirements. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common in diabetics than the healthy controls the prevalence of these symptoms, however, did not differ significantly between seropositive and seronegative diabetics.
Conclusion: The study indicated that type 1 diabetes is not associated with increased risk of HP infection. Further studies are required to investigate the impact of HP infection treatment on the glycemic control in diabetic children.

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Background: Increased echogenicity of pancreas, due to hemosiderosis, is a frequent finding in  - thalassemic paitents. Hemosiderosis also leads to  - cell dysfunction. So diabetes and glucose intolerance are common consequences of hemosiderosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of increased pancreas echogenicity (IPE) with insulin sensitivity in  - thalassemic children aged 10-20 years.
Methods: After exclusion of thalassemic paitents with diabetes or familial history of diabetes, pancreas ultrasonography was performed in 42 -thalassemic children and they were divided into 2 groups with normal (21) and increased (21) pancreas echogenicity. Serum ferritin was measured, as well as serum insulin and glucose values, during an OGTT, at 0, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. A control group was selected randomly (n= 23). Insulin Sensitivity Index and Fasting Glucose/Insulin Ratio were calculated and the data were analysed using t-test and ANOVA statistical methods.
Results: Serum feritin differed significantly between 2 groups of thalassemic paitents (P<0.005), but the insulin and glucose values were not significantly different among studied population (P>0.05). Serum feritin was inversely correllated with ISI in patients IPE and 28.6% of them had IFG, as compared to patients with normal echogenicity (P<0.05).
Conclusion : Regarding the detection of all IFG cases among thalassemic paitents with IPE and the relation of feritin with ISI in this group, pancreas ultrasonography may be used to investigate the early stages of diabetes in these patients. however after conducting further studies with larger sample size and on older paitents are recommended.

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Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among type 1 diabetic patients referring to Isfahan Endocrine & Metabolism Research Center.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of CVD risk factors including dyslipidemia, smoking and hypertension was determined in type 1 diabetic patients aged 15-30 years.  Serum cholesterol <170 mg/dl, LDL<100 mg/dl , HDL>35 mg/dl , TG<150 mg/dl, systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg were considered as optimal control levels.

Results: Among 219 studied diabetic patients (mean age=22.5±10.3, female/male=120/99), the mean cholesterol and HDL-C level was higher in women (176±34.9, 46.4±34.1) than men (162.9±32.4 vs. 41.5±10.1) (P<0.05). The prevalence of smoking, hypercholesterolemia, LDL>100 mg/dl, HDL<35 mg/dl, hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension was 6.9% (n=15), 47.4% (n=104), 53.5% (n=117), 22.8% (n=50), 18.3% (n=40) and 7.7% (n=17), respectively. HDL<35 mg/dl was more prevalent among men as compared with women but cholesterol> 170 was more frequently detected in women (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Considering the rather high prevalence of CVD risk factors in type 1 diabetic patients in Isfahan, and in view of modifiability of these risk factors, educating patients on appropriate glycemic control and increasing physical activity is necessary as well as close monitoring of these risk factors.