Ocena czynnika wzrostu fibroblastów 21 u dzieci z cukrzycą typu 1 w odniesieniu do powikłań mikronaczyniowych

Introduction
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) represents a growing global health problem with significant morbidity. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an adipokine expressed predominantly in the liver that plays an important role in metabolic regulation.

Aim of the study
This study assesses FGF21 levels in children with DM1, in comparison to controls, and correlates them with diabetes duration, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and diabetic microvascular complications.

Material and methods
Fifty children with DM1, aged between 5 and 16 years, were studied regarding their diabetes duration, HbA1c, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR), fundus, and FGF21 level. They were compared to 50 healthy controls.

Results
The median FGF21 of the studied children with DM1 was 150 pg/ml, range 50–350 pg/ml; while that of the controls was 35 pg/ml, range 20–50 pg/ml. FGF21 level was significantly higher in children with DM1 than in controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, it was significantly and positively correlated with diabetes duration, mean blood glucose level, and HbA1c (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, p = 0.018, respectively). Interestingly, the FGF21 level was not significantly elevated in children with DM1 having diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy (p = 0.122, p = 0.298, respectively).

Conclusions
FGF21 is significantly higher among children with DM1 than in controls. However, its role in diabetic microvascular complica-tions needs further assessment.