Leptin levels in non-obese and obese children and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate serum leptin levels in children and young adults with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and to investigate whether they are different in prepuberty, puberty and young adulthood.

DESIGN

Three groups of diabetics (prepubertal, pubertal and young adults) subdivided into obese and non-obese were studied. Three groups of healthy subjects matched for sex, age and body mass index served as controls.

RESULTS

Diabetic patients had serum leptin concentrations similar to those of controls in all three groups. A small non-significant increase in leptin from the prepubertal to the young adult age group for both diabetics and controls was found. A significant association of serum leptin level with body mass index (P < 0.001), female sex (P < 0.001) and age (P < 0.01) in both the diabetic and control group was present. Insulin-dependent diabetes was not associated with higher leptin concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum leptin concentrations are similar in diabetic patients and healthy controls. The association between obesity and leptin concentration was similar in the diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Type 1 diabetes mellitus does not modify serum leptin concentration.