Effects of advanced carbohydrate counting on glucose control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes

Exploring Family Perspectives on a Group-Based Hands-on Advanced Carbohydrate Counting Education Program for Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study

The care needs of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their families are frequently approached as if they were identical to those of adults, overlooking the distinct challenges young people may face. It has been stated that children and adolescents often find conventional conversations with diabetes specialists tiresome and unpleasant. The present study focuses on familial experiences of an advanced carbohydrate counting program tailored to children and adolescents. The data encompass semi-structured interviews with families who participated in a group-based child-centered advanced carbohydrate counting program. The analysis revealed five themes: (1) peer-to-peer interaction is an essential determinant of sharing and learning; (2) illness perception significantly influences dietary intake; (3) normalization of diabetes in everyday life eases the disease burden; (4) repetition of dietary knowledge is important for retention; and (5) creating a safe and playful learning environment is crucial to engaging children and adolescents in their own treatment. The present findings suggest that it would be beneficial to explore and consider alternative teaching approaches that are adapted to a more interactive and engaging learning environment that is specifically tailored to children and adolescents. This entails moving away from traditional individual approaches.

Carbohydrate counting knowledge and ambulatory glucose profile in persons living with type 1 diabetes

CONTEXT

The amount of consumed carbohydrates is the strongest factor influencing glucose levels during the four hours following a meal. Our aim was to evaluate the association between carbohydrate counting knowledge and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using different insulin regimens.

METHOD

In this multicenter prospective study, the GluciQuizz questionnaire was used to evaluate carbohydrate knowledge. CGM data for the 14 days preceding completion of the questionnaire were analyzed. The primary endpoint was evaluation of the correlation between the GluciQuizz total score and time in range (TIR) in the study population.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 170 participants was 40.7 ± 14.8 years and duration of T1D 18.8 ± 12.1 years. The mean GluciQuizz total score for all participants was 66 ± 13 %. Mean TIR was 58.6 ± 18.7 %. GluciQuizz total score positively correlated with TIR (r = 0.3001; p < 0.0001). This correlation was observed in CSII users (r = 0.2526; p < 0.05) but not in MDI (r = 0.2510; p = 0.1134) and HCL users (r = -0.1065; p = 0.4914). TIR was also negatively correlated with the mean carb count error in all study participants (r = -0.2317; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, as the Gluciquizz score was associated with metabolic control, this easy-to-use self-administered questionnaire could be used widely on a routine basis to assess the carbohydrate knowledge of T1D patients and to offer them targeted education tailored to their needs.

Basic carbohydrate counting and glycemia in young people with type 1 diabetes in India: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on glycemic control and acceptability of basic carbohydrate counting (BCC) in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

METHODS

Ninety-two children and young adults (6-25 y of age) with T1DM were randomized to receive either routine nutrition education (RNE), which addressed food groups, glycemic index, and effects of food and exercise on glycemia, or learn BCC with personalized portion size education. A continuous glucose monitoring study and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were performed at baseline and after 12 wk. The primary outcome was a change in time-in-range from baseline through 12 wk. A questionnaire on the acceptability of BCC was administered.

RESULTS

At 12 wk, there was no significant difference in change in time-in-range between the two groups (BCC group: 1.2 ± 12.2; RNE group: 1.9 ± 12.3; P = 0.786). No significant changes were observed in the percentage of time that blood glucose was >180 or >250 mg/dL; <70 or <54 mg/dL; glycemic variability, percentage of nights with hypoglycemia and HbA1c. In subgroup analysis, there was a significant decrease in HbA1c in the BCC group among participants with higher maternal education (-0.5 versus 0.2, P = 0.042). The total score on the acceptability questionnaire was higher in the BCC group (P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Among children and young adults in our region with T1DM, BCC provided flexibility in food choices and perception of greater ease of insulin adjustment. Although BCC was equivalent to RNE in terms of glycemic control, larger studies may reveal benefit in outcomes in certain subgroups.

Assessment of clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 in people with type 1 diabetes: A cohort study

OBJECTIVES

During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, there had been more than 758 million COVID-19 cases as of February 13, 2023, and it is the main cause of death in many countries. Due to the variation in disease presentation, scientists determined that people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus were at higher risk of mortality. However, people living with type 1 diabetes have not been thoroughly studied, especially in extreme regions of developing countries. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic restrictions on different variables in a cohort with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

This cohort-type study included pediatric and adult patients with type 1 diabetes at Regional Hospital Dr. Juan Noé Crevani in Arica, Chile. Biosocial and anthropometric factors, clinical history, self-care activities, and biochemical parameters were assessed and compared using analysis of variance and paired t tests between March 2020 and March 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 150 patients were assessed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Arica, Chile. One year after the pandemic struck, the main causes for metabolic deterioration were a reduction of carbohydrate counting by an average of 8.67% (P = 0.000), a reduction of adherence to treatment by an average of 25% (P = 0.000), and a shift to telemedicine as a main health care service (P = 0.023); these factors raised hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels by 1.81%, 1.78% and 0.075%, respectively. The participants' average body mass index (BMI) increased by 1.26 kg/m2 and HbA1c levels increased by 0.16% during the first year of the pandemic. Also, hospitalizations increased about 2% (P = 0.984), and there was a significant increase in carbohydrate and snack intake (P = 0.330 and P = 0.811, respectively). Children's linear growth decreased by a standard deviation of 0.035 (P = 0.648), and their physical activity decreased by 12.67% (P = 0.383).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that adherence to diabetes care was reduced during the pandemic owing to a variety of behavioral reasons and environmental changes (e.g., quarantines and food security). This affected this population's HbA1c levels, BMI, linear growth, and number of hospitalizations as main consequences. Telemedicine remains an important tool, but it must be reconsidered among all different age groups.

Characteristics of carbohydrate counting practice associated with adequacy of glycated hemoglobin in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Brazil

Background

The Carbohydrate Counting (CC) is directly associated with achieving glycemic control by people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Therefore, this study aims to analyze characteristics of the CC practice associated with the adequacy of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in adults with T1DM in Brazil.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional, carried out using an online form with questions about knowledge of CC, clinical, anthropometric, sociodemographic data, follow-up with health professionals and understanding of the concepts of CC. Pearson's chi-square test and binomial logistic regression analysis (p<0.05) were applied.

Results

173 adults participated, of which 57.2% had increased HbA1c (≥7%). Having the diabetes duration <10 years (p=0.006), performing the CC at lunch (p=0.040) and dinner (p=0.018), using specific applications to perform the CC (p=0.001), having learned to perform CC with a nutritionist (p=0.037) and knowing how to correctly define the concepts of food bolus (p=0.001), correction bolus (p<0.001) and insulin/carbohydrate ratio (p<0.001) was associated with having adequate HbA1c (<7%). Participants who were undergoing CC practice were 3.273 times more likely to have adequate HbA1c and participants with diabetes duration <10 years were 2.686 times more likely to have adequate HbA1c.

Conclusion

It was concluded that variables transversal to CC favor adequate HbA1c values in adults with T1DM and that practicing CC and having a diabetes duration of less than 10 years are predictive factors of having adequate HbA1c.

Carbohydrate counting implementation on pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is the most common type of diabetes among children, is not curable but can be managed well without a negative effect on quality of life. One of the treatments of type 1 diabetes mellitus is carbohydrate counting. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the efficacy of carbohydrate counting with regard to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reduction in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Nine studies were assessed, with the primary outcome being glycemic control (HbA1c changes). We searched the following electronic databases: ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The quality of studies included was assessed using the risk of bias for randomized control trials and the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for observational and cross-sectional studies. Quantitative analyses were made and extrapolated into a forest plot.

RESULTS

A total of 1,693 articles were identified. Four reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Of the 36 articles screened, 34 articles were found to be eligible. Of these, 25 studies were excluded because of unsuitable outcomes and study designs. Nine articles were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there was a reduction in HbA1c in the carbohydrate counting group as compared to the control group. The cumulative effect of carbohydrate counting on HbA1c was a mean difference of -0.55 (95% confidence interval, -0.81 to -0.28, P<0.001). All of the studies exhibited similar results with the mean difference reduction favoring the interventional group. However, the heterogeneity analysis revealed an I2 value of 88%, implying high heterogeneity in the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis showed evidence favoring the use of carbohydrate counting in the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Manual and Application-Based Carbohydrate Counting and Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Subjects: A Narrative Review

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is the most common chronic disease in young adults and children, which is treated with insulin, usually given as basal and boluses. Carbohydrate counting (CHOC) helps patients to determine the correct meal doses. The aim of this review is to study the effect of CHOC on glucose control, body weight, insulin dose and quality of life (QoL). The literature search was conducted using PubMed from January 2010 to October 2022. Studies included in this review are limited to randomized controlled studies involving an intervention group undergoing CHOC and a control group following the usual practice, measuring glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a parameter of glucose control and involving only T1DM subjects. A total of ten articles were found to fulfill the criteria involving 1034 patients. Most of the studies showed a positive impact of CHOC on glucose control, especially in adults, where five out of six studies were statistically positive. However, in pediatrics, only two out of four showed a positive outcome. In all four studies using mobile applications, CHOC was better at controlling glucose. No difference was seen between the CHOC group and the control regarding the risk of severe hypoglycemia. In fact, two studies have shown lower hypoglycemia rates. No change in weight was observed in most of the studies (six out of eight). In subjects with T1DM, CHOC might provide better glucose control than traditional care without a significant increment in severe hypoglycemia or weight gain. Mobile application-based models showed promising results in glucose control.

Efficacy and safety of carbohydrate counting versus other forms of dietary advice in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases globally, and the only way to reduce its complications is good glycemic control. Insulin remains the only approved treatment for type 1 DM (T1DM) and is used by many with Type 2 DM (T2DM). Carbohydrate counting is considered the ideal way to calculate meal-related insulin doses since it allows greater flexibility in diet and could, in some people, reduce the burden of the disease. This systematic review's primary objective was to assess carbohydrate counting efficacy in reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c ) and safety by not increasing hypoglycemia risk, inducing an increase in body weight or blood lipids, and reducing the quality of life of people with T1DM.

METHODS

We included randomized controlled clinical trials with a parallel-group design comparing any carbohydrate counting forms with standard care or other forms of dietary advice or insulin dose calculation in people with T1DM with a follow up period of at least three months and with no restrictions in language, age, or settings. As a primary outcome, we consider the change of HbA_1c within at least three months. Secondary outcomes were hypoglycemia events, body weight changes, blood lipids levels, and the total daily insulin dose. We also evaluated health-related quality of life changes and diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaires.

RESULTS

Data from 11 studies with 899 patients were retrieved with a mean follow of 52 ± 35.5 weeks. Carbohydrate counting is not better in reducing HbA_1c , SMD - 0.24% (95%CI -0.68 to 0.21) than all dietary advice forms. However, this finding was highly heterogeneous. We identified three studies that account for most of the heterogeneity using clustering algorithms. A second analysis excluding these studies shows a meaningful HbA_1c reduction, SMD - 0.52% (95%CI -0.82 to -0.23) with low heterogeneity. In the subgroup analysis, carbohydrate counting significantly reduces HbA_1c compared to usual diabetes education. Carbohydrate counting doesn't relate to any substantial change in blood lipids, body weight, hypoglycemia risk, or daily insulin dose. Finally, we analyzed the effect of trial duration with HbA_1c reduction and found no significant change related to time.

CONCLUSIONS

Carbohydrate counting is an efficacious technique to safely reduce HbA_1c in adults and children compared to standard diabetes education. And its effect doesn't seem to change with prolonged time. Standardization in reporting important outcomes like hypoglycemia and quality of life is vital to produce comparable evidence in carbohydrate counting clinical trials. This SR was registered in PROSPERO under code: CRD42020218499. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Nutrition and Obesity in the Pathogenesis of Youth-Onset Type 1 Diabetes and Its Complications

Since the 1980s, there has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in pediatric populations, in large part driven by sedentary lifestyles and changing dietary patterns with more processed foods. In parallel with the rise in pediatric obesity in the general population, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adiposity has been implicated in a variety of mechanisms both potentiating the risk for type 1 diabetes as well as exacerbating long-term complications, particularly cardiovascular disease. Treatment options targeting the unique needs of obese pediatric patients, both before and after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, are limited. In this review, we discuss the history of the epidemiology of the obesity epidemic in the context of pediatric type 1 diabetes, highlight the possible role of obesity in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis and review the concept of "double diabetes". The impact of obesity at and after diagnosis will be discussed, including noted differences in clinical and biochemical markers, lipid abnormalities, and long-term cardiovascular complications. Finally, we will review the existing literature on pharmacologic and nutritional interventions as potential treatment strategies for youth with coexisting type 1 diabetes and obesity.