Better cardiorespiratory fitness associated with favourable metabolic control and health-related quality of life in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objective: to explore the relationship among health-related quality of life (HRQoL), clinical variables, anthropometric measures, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, we aimed to find predictors of HRQoL and metabolic control. Methods: A total of 106 patients (sex ratio: 1:1) with mean HbA1c of 8.55 (± 1.44)% and diabetes duration of 5.15 (± 3.24) years were assessed. The average age was 13.22 (± 3.08) years. Results: We observed statistically significant negative medium correlation between HbA1c and VO2max (r=–0.343; p=0.000). There was statistically significant small positive correlation between the HRQoL and the maximal oxygen consumption (r=0.208; p=0.032). We found no significant correlation between the HbA1c and the patients’ HRQoL. In the multiple linear regression analysis both the better metabolic control and the HRQoL was predicted by the VO 2max, other variables had no effect. Physical activity level did not explain the HRQoL. Boys had significantly better HRQoL and less skinfold thickness than girls. Conclusion: Better cardiorespiratory fitness associated with both favourable metabolic control and better HRQoL of diabetic youths. Regular aerobic exercise improves the young patients’ physical fitness and overall health status, and perception of health-related quality of life, espectively