Summary

Life expectancy for individuals with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1DM) has improved markedly in recent years and is now approximately only 4 years less than that of the general population [Miller RG et al. Diabetes 2012]. Although the level of glycemic control has improved and the frequency of renal disease has declined, the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) has not fallen proportionally and is among complications that show less favorable change over time [Pambianco G et al. Diabetes 2006]. This article presents findings from an examination of risk factors for CAD in 2 groups from the prospective Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study of childhood onset (<17 years of age) of T1DM.