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Asthma worsens blood sugar control in diabetic children, study finds

Category: Diabetes

Children who suffer from asthma and diabetes may be more likely to have unhealthy HbA1c tests indicating poor blood sugar control, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente of Southern California analyzed the medial records of nearly 2,000 young people with diabetes. The results showed that 11 percent of these individuals had asthma, which is a higher prevalence than in the general public.

Additionally, diabetics who had asthma had much worse HbA1c test scores than diabetics who did not have asthma, suggesting that the pulmonary condition contributed to poorer blood sugar regulation.

The researchers said that the inflammation caused in the lungs by asthma may affect the body's sensitivity to insulin. They pointed out that there is a complex relationship between the pulmonary system, body mass index and glucose control in young people. A problem that affects one aspect of this system could impact other areas.

The findings suggest that children who suffer from both diabetes and asthma may need to take extra steps to improve their glycemic control, which may reduce their risk of health complications later in life.