Abstract

Objective: To evaluate pulse pressure (PP) changes according to duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to assess the influence of posture.

Research Design and Methods: Continuous measurement of blood pressure with a Finapres® device during a 3x1min posture test (standing-squatting-standing) in 159 T1DM patients divided into four groups according to diabetes duration (≤10 years, 11-20 years, 21-30 years and >30 years from group 1 to group 4, respectively) and compared to age-matched nondiabetic subjects.

Results: PP progressively increased according to T1DM duration (p<0.0001), especially in women, but not in age-matched nondiabetic subjects (NS). PP increase from group 1 to group 4 was amplified in squatting position (from 50±17 to 69±14 mmHg) compared to standing (from 44±15 to 55±12 mmHg).

Conclusion: PP increases according to T1DM duration, more in women than in men, and the squatting position sensitizes such PP increase in both genders.