This study examines the influence of blood glucose regulation on motor function in adolescents diagnosed with de novo dystonia and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).

A total of 350 adolescents with newly diagnosed dystonia and T1DM were enrolled and divided into two groups: well-controlled diabetes (n = 200) and poorly controlled diabetes (n = 150), based on an HbA1cthreshold of 7.0%. The two groups were matched for age and baseline Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS)scores. Motor function changes were assessed over six months using UDRS scores.

Patients in the well-controlled diabetes group showed significant motor function improvement, with UDRS scores decreasing from 38.4 ± 6.2 at baseline to 22.3 ± 3.5 after six months. In contrast, the poorly controlled group demonstrated a smaller reduction in UDRS scores, from 39.8 ± 10.2 to 32.2 ± 4.2 (UDRS score change:-12.2 ± 6.9 vs. -5.2 ± 3.9; p = 0.01). Additionally, higher HbA1c levels were significantly correlated with lesser improvement in motor symptoms (r = -0.353; 95% CI: 0.218–0.744; p = 0.001).

Our findings suggest that inadequate glycemic control negatively impacts motor recovery in adolescents with dystonia and T1DM. Effective blood glucose management may play a critical role in improving motor outcomes in these patients. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms linking glucose metabolism with dystonia progression and evaluate targeted therapeutic strategies. Optimizing glycemic control may serve as an essential intervention for enhancing motor function and quality of life in young dystonia patients with diabetes.