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CV risk decreases with physical activity in type 1 diabetes
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Recent study findings published in Diabetes Care revealed that cardiovascular risk, glycemic control and diabetes-related comorbidities were all improved with physical activity among a group of adults with type 1 diabetes.
“Overall outcomes were beneficial in the most active compared with physically inactive subjects,” the researchers wrote.
Barbara Bohn, MSc, of the University of Ulm in Germany, and colleagues evaluate 18,028 adults aged 18 to 79 years from the DiabetesPatientenVerlaufsdokumentation database to determine effect of physical activity glycemic control and CV risk in adults with type 1 diabetes.
Participants were divided into three groups based on self-reported frequency of physical activity: inactive (63%) one to two times per week (19.9%) and more than two times per week 17.8%).
HbA1c levels were higher among the inactive group compared with the active groups (P < .0001). The group reporting physical activity more than two times per week had the lowest rates of severe hypoglycemic with coma compared with the other groups (P < .0001).
Retinopathy and microalbuminuria were most common among the inactive group compared with the active groups (both P < .0001).
The inactive group had the highest prevalence of obesity regardless of age or sex (all P < .0001). Systolic blood pressure was not associated with physical activity however an inverse relationship was between diastolic BP and physical activity for all participants (P = .0377). The group reporting physical activity more than two times per week had the lowest prevalence of hypertension compared with the other groups (P = .015).
“In conclusion, being physically active is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and better glycemic control without an increase in adverse effects,” the researchers wrote. “Therefore, [physical activity] should be promoted in patients with type 1 diabetes.” - by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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