The condition of mammary glands in women with diabetes mellitus type 1
Background. The pathogenesis of diabetic mastopathy is unknown. It is assumed that one of the important factors in the development of this disease may be hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and echographic features of the mammary gland structure in women with diabetes mellitus type 1. Materials and methods. The three groups of women were examined: group 1: women with type 1 diabetes, with the onset of the disease before menarche (n = 58); group 2: women with type 1 diabetes, with the onset of the disease after menarche (n = 56); group 3: women with fibrocystic mastopathy, without diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 79). Mastalgia was evaluated using the visual analogue scale. The ultrasound examination of mammary glands was performed on day 5 to 7 of the menstrual cycle. Results. The patients of all groups complained of mastalgia. Mammary gland ultrasound revealed that the thickness of the glandular tissue in patients of the first group was significantly less than in the second and third group. The diameter of the milk ducts was also significantly different in patients in each study group. In the group of patients with fibrocystic mastopathy without diabetes mellitus type 1, the tissue echogenicity is average in 41.8% of subjects, with it elevated in 58.2% of individuals. Moreover, in groups of patients with diabetes, 90% of subjects have increased echogenicity of breast tissue. Conclusion. Diabetic mastopathy is characterized by a fibrotic echo version of the organ parenchyma, which can be caused by a violation of the mammary gland formation and function in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1.