Diabetes Care 30:1995-1997, 2007 DOI: 10.2337/dc06-2222 © 2007 by the American Diabetes Association
Clinical Factors Associated With Resistance to Microvascular Complications in Diabetic Patients of Extreme Disease DurationThe 50-year Medalist Study
1 Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts Address correspondence and reprint requests to George L. King, MD, Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail: george.king@joslin.harvard.edu
Abbreviations: JDC, Joslin Diabetes Center
Duration of diabetes and degree of hyperglycemia have consistently been identified as predictors of retinopathy and nephropathy (1–6). Multiple studies have concluded that nearly all individuals with type 1 diabetes will develop some level of retinopathy within 20 years of diagnosis (2,4,5,7,8). However, the study by Bain et al. (9) described the Golden Years study group of type 1 diabetic patients with 50 years of diabetes duration who appeared to be protected against nephropathy and large vessel disease but not against retinopathy. However, the associations of glycemic control, duration of disease, and vascular complications were not evaluated (9). This report characterizes the prevalence of complications and associated risk factors in a large number of individuals who have been insulin dependent for 50 years.
The 50-Year Medal Program of the Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC) was initiated to recognize JDC or non-JDC patients who survived 50 years with type 1 diabetes. This was documented by either medical record or family report. This was a survey-based cross-sectional study of subjects living in the U.S. who were awarded the Joslin Medal between 1997 and 2003. The Committee on Human Subjects at the JDC approved this study. The patients were questioned regarding the presence and absence of eye, kidney, and peripheral neuropathy.
Clinical validation of retinopathy
Microvascular complications Retinopathy Nephropathy Neuropathy Validation
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