Diabetes mellitus tipo 1: Características clínicas y demográficas en pacientes del servicio de endocrinología del Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela

Objective: To know the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in relation to the onset, evolution and current situation in the Autonomous Institute Hospital Universitario de los Andes (IAHULA), Merida, Venezuela. Methods: Observational, retrospective and descriptive study with review of medical records of 105 patients with T1DM, from 2000 to 2010. The age, sex, type of debut, origin, family and personal history, physical examination, treatment, metabolic control, acute and chronic complications, were collected, at admission and at their last consultation. Results: Mean age 11.57 ± 6.52 years at admission, 17.86 ± 8.3 years at last assessment. The majority debuted in hyperglycemia, with normal body mass index and blood pressure. The 81% had a family history of diabetes. The NPH and crystalline insulin were the most used. The 66.2% were in poor metabolic control. There were 80 episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis and 38 moderate to severe hypoglycemia. Patients treated with insulin analogues had significantly better control and less hypoglycemia. The 26.8% of the patients had chronic complications, which were associated with older age and longer duration of diabetes. Conclusion: The debut of T1DM was more common in children under 10 years of age. There were a high percentage of patients in poor metabolic control. Chronic complications were more common in patients over 19 years and more than 5 years of evolution. The use of insulin analogues showed better benefits. Registration data in medical records is poor. The strategies of diabetes education and early diagnosis and treatment of DM1 should be improved.