Introduction

Skin microcirculation is recognized as an appropriate model to use when investigating the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and microvascular function. It is currently a matter of debate whether studies on skin microcirculation in young type 1 diabetic patients without existing microangiopathy may be helpful in identifying subjects with impaired endothelial function.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the potential changes in skin microcirculation of patients up age of 18 years using capillaroscopy, post reactive hyperaemia (PORH) and venous occlusion (VO) tests, and to establish the relationship between those changes and disease duration and metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Material and methods

Study group consisted of 112 pediatric patients aged 8.4–18.0 years, with a median age of 14.95 years. The median diabetes duration and age at onset were 5 years and 9.6 years, respectively. The median HbA1c in the studied group was 7.6% at the time when the microcirculation was being examined. Capillaroscopy studies were focused on type 1 diabetic patients and employed non-selective stimuli such as the PORH and VO tests. The relative area covered by capillaries (coverage) was measured before the testing and again after the PORH and VO tests.

Results

The analysis revealed that none of the skin microcirculation indices correlated significantly with patient age, diabetes duration or metabolic control.

Conclusions

In young patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus skin microcirculation function is not dependent on age, disease duration or metabolic control.