A pilot study to determine association of parental metabolic syndrome with development of metabolic risk in Indian children, adolescents and youth with Type-1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing in children with type-1 diabetes (T1D). Genetic and environmental factors shared among family members are considered significant risk factors. We conducted this study to assess the association of parental MS with development of metabolic risk (MR) in patients with T1D. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 29 patients with T1D along with their parents (29 triads). Demographic data, anthropometry, blood pressure, biochemical measurements and body composition measurements were performed using standard protocols. Insulin resistance was calculated using estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) in patients and using HOMA-IR in their parents. MS was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation Consensus Definition, 2017. RESULTS: Of total study participants, 44.8% patients with T1D had MR while 25.3% of parents had MS. Low HDL was identified as the most common component of MS. 64.3% patients with T1D, who had parents with MS, had MR. The odds ratio (OR) for development of MR in patients with T1D with parents affected by MS was 4.9 (95% confidence interval 1.0-24.1) while relative risk (RR) was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 0.9-6.1). MR in patients with T1D was found to have a strong correlation with parental MS and also with development of double diabetes (DD). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, parental MS increases the risk of development of metabolic abnormalities in patients with T1D. Thus, positive family history may serve as a useful indicator for targeted screening to detect DD.