Menarche Delay and Menstrual Irregularities in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Author Information
Author(s): Bahareh M Schweiger, Janet K Snell-Bergeon, Rossana Roman, Kim McFann, Georgeanna J Klingensmith
Primary Institution: Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver
Hypothesis
We sought to compare age at menarche between adolescent females with T1DM and national data, and to identify factors associated with delayed menarche and menstrual irregularity in T1DM.
Conclusion
Adolescent females with T1DM had a later onset of menarche than both adolescent females who developed T1DM after menarche and NHANES data.
Supporting Evidence
- Age at menarche was later in adolescent females with T1DM diagnosed prior to menarche than for those diagnosed after menarche.
- Average age of menarche in NHANES was significantly earlier than adolescent females with T1DM diagnosed prior to menarche.
- Older age at menarche was negatively correlated with BMI z-score.
Takeaway
Girls with type 1 diabetes tend to start their periods later than girls without diabetes, and many of them have irregular menstrual cycles.
Methodology
This was a cross-sectional study involving females ages 12-24 years with at least one menstrual period, recruited during outpatient diabetes clinic appointments.
Potential Biases
Potential for recall bias with the use of self-reported questionnaires.
Limitations
The study participants were predominantly of NHW and Hispanic race/ethnicity, limiting generalizability to other racial/ethnic groups.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly non-Hispanic white and Hispanic females aged 12-24 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0015
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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