Physical Activity, Insulin Sensitivity, and Metabolic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To assess insulin sensitivity and physical activity level (PAL) and their relationship with demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Material and Methods: We evaluated 150 adults with T1DM using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine PAL and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) for insulin sensitivity. The patients were divided into three groups according to PAL [inactive (n=48), moderately active (n=55), and highly active (n=47)] and into two groups according to eGDR [<8.16 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) [n=67] and >= 8.16 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) (n=83)]. Results: According to eGDR values, 44.6% of 150 patients were insulin resistant. Insulin resistant patients were older and heavier and had higher body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum glycemic and lipid parameters than insulin sensitive patients, and had nephropathy and a family history of DM. No significant differences in PAL were found according to insulin sensitivity between the groups. According to eGDR values, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glomerular filtration rate were positively correlated. In terms of clinical and metabolic parameters, except for gender distribution, no differences were found among the PAL groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of insulin resistance was high in Turkish adults with T1DM and a meaningful correlation was evident between eGDR and disease control parameters. PAL assessed by the IPAQ was similar between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive patients.