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.