Cardiovascular complications of type 1 diabetes: update on the renal link

Abstract

Aims: Despite recent findings of increased life expectancy among individuals with type 1 diabetes, mortality remains greatly increased compared to the general population. As this is largely the result of cardiovascular and renal complications, we aimed to review recent findings surrounding these diseases in type 1 diabetes.

Methods: We reviewed published findings concerning the cardiovascular complications of type 1 diabetes, with a particular focus on links with renal disease.

Results: The cardiovascular and renal complications of type 1 diabetes share many features including insulin resistance, oxidative damage, and genetic associations with the Haptoglobin genotype, and both are strongly affected by glycemic control.

Conclusions: Although current knowledge on predictors of type 1 diabetes cardiovascular and renal complications has increased, further investigation is required to understand the mechanisms leading to cardio-renal complications in this population.

Keywords: Haptoglobin genotype; Type 1 diabetes; cardio-renal link; cardiovascular disease; kidney disease.