Background and objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and metabolic characteristics of type 2 diabetes diagnosed in young adults (T2DYA) and in subjects with mutations in HNF-1* gene.
Patients and method: We included 8 subjects diagnosed of MODY-3 (3 women) at ages 25-45. They were matched (1/2) by gender and age of diagnosis with 16 (6 women) T2DYA. Clinical and metabolic characteristics, as well as C-reactive protein levels, were evaluated.
Results: There were not differences in terms of age, disease duration and family history of type 2 diabetes. MODY-3 subjects had a lower body mass index -24 (3) vs. 31 (4) kg/m2; P = .000- and in a lower proportion they had hypertension and required insulin treatment. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol value was higher -50 (4) vs. 43 (2) mg/dl; P = .000) and HbA1c -7.1% (1,0%) vs. 8.2% (1,2%); P = .036-, triglycerides -147 (17) vs. 184 (20) mg/dl; P = .000- and C-reactive protein -0.6 (0,2) vs. 1.7 (0,6) mg/l; P = .000- levels were lower in subjects with MODY-3.
Conclusions: The presence of clinical and metabolic features related to metabolic syndrome could be of help in order to differentiate between T2DYA and diabetes due to mutations in HNF-1*.