Impact of Socioeconomic Characteristics on Metabolic Control in Children with Type 1 Diabetes in a Developing Country

Evaluating Treatment Adherence in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: The Impact of the Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 Score on Metabolic Control

Background/Objectives: This study sought to identify key barriers to treatment adherence in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using the Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 (ASK-12) questionnaire and to evaluate its impact on metabolic control, providing insights for optimizing T1D management. Methods: A total of 160 children and adolescents with T1D aged 5-18 years who sought treatment from a pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic between June and August in 2022 were prospectively examined. The patients' low treatment adherence (LTA) or high treatment adherence (HTA) was determined based on their ASK-12 questionnaire scores. Two pediatric endocrinologists reviewed the participants' medical records and then classified them into two groups: tight metabolic control and poor metabolic control. Results: LTA, which was determined based on the participants' ASK-12 scores, was significantly associated with puberty, presence of diabetic ketoacidosis, and daily self-management (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Those whose ASK-12 scores indicated LTA were older and had a longer duration of T1D, higher hemoglobin A1c levels, and lower BMI-SDS values than those with HTA) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). A total of 94 (59%) participants were indicated to have HTA, but 24 (25.5%) of them were found by the clinicians to have poor metabolic control. Conclusions: The ASK-12 questionnaire scores can identify pediatric patients with T1D who exhibit LTA and thus may be beneficial for early recognition of low adherence. Approximately 25% of the patients with ASK-12 scores indicating HTA were at risk of poor metabolic control. Puberty, duration of T1D, BMI-SDS, HbA1C, and parental involvement alongside ASK-12 score may be considered to improve treatment compliance. Integrating these variables into adherence assessments may enhance treatment compliance and improve long-term outcomes in pediatric T1D management.

Chronotype, sleep, and glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a case-control study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the relationships between sleep parameters, chronotype preferences, and glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), compared to healthy peers.

METHODS

96 children and adolescents with T1DM and 95 healthy controls aged 8-18 years participated in this case-control study. Anthropometric measurements were collected, and participants completed the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Glycemic control was assessed using HbA1c levels.

RESULTS

Children with T1DM demonstrated significantly shorter sleep durations, poorer sleep quality, and a later chronotype compared to controls (p<0.05). Poor glycemic control (HbA1c>7.5 %) was observed in 72.9 % of the T1DM group, with 34.3 % exhibiting very poor control (HbA1c>9 %). Logistic regression identified poor sleep quality (PSQI score, OR: 1.47, p<0.001) and later chronotype (OR: 5.14, p<0.01) as independent predictors of poor glycemic control. Generalized linear modeling (GLM) further revealed significant associations between HbA1c levels, insulin dosage (p<0.001), and chronotype (p=0.090).

CONCLUSIONS

Late chronotype and poor sleep quality are closely linked to suboptimal glycemic control in pediatric T1DM populations. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sleep-focused strategies into routine diabetes management.

Does vitamin D supplementation benefit patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who are vitamin D deficient? A study was performed at the Sudan Childhood Diabetes Center from 2019 to 2022

Objectives

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by insufficient production of insulin. Many studies have linked type 1 diabetes mellitus to vitamin D3 deficiency. We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Sudanese children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and assessed the impact of vitamin D deficiency treatment on their glycemic control.

Methods

In 2019-2022, we conducted a quasi-experimental study on 115 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (1-19 years old) at the Sudan Childhood Diabetes Center. Vitamin D supplements were given orally to deficient patients for 3 months. The concentrations of hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, insulin dosage, and vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)) were measured before and after vitamin D3 administration. One-way ANOVA and paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate the effect of supplementation.

Results

Only 27% of type 1 diabetes mellitus children were deficient in vitamin D, whereas 31.1% were inadequate and 40.9% were sufficient. The administration of vitamin D supplements slightly improved hemoglobin A1c levels in 67.7% of the patients, but the difference was not significant (mean 10.8 ± 2.1% before, 10.1 ± 2.5% after, p0.05 = 0.199). However, there was a significant decrease in the fasting blood glucose level (mean: 174.978.5-136.759.1 ng/ml; p0.05 = 0.049). Vitamin D levels were significantly increased after treatment (mean = 49.6 ng/mL; t-test = -11.6, 95% CI 40.8-(-28.6); p0.05 = 0.000). After vitamin D3 supplementation, 25.8% of individuals changed their insulin dosage; however, there was no significant variation in insulin needs.

Conclusions

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Sudan is relatively high; incorporating vitamin D supplements in their treatment plan may improve their glycemic control.

Sociodemographic factors affecting glycaemic control in Finnish paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes

AIMS

Socioeconomic problems may present significant challenges when trying to reach optimal glycaemic control in paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. We examined sociodemographic factors affecting metabolic control in patients in one of the biggest paediatric diabetes clinics in Finland.

METHODS

One hundred ninety-one children (age 2-15 years; median 11 years; 47% female) with type 1 diabetes and their families were recruited during outpatient visits in the paediatric diabetes clinic of Tampere University Hospital, Finland. The participants completed a questionnaire on the family's sociodemographic background. The child's glycaemic control was assessed by both glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and time in range (TIR). Risk factors for poor (HbA1c ≥75 mmol/mol; TIR <40%) and optimal (HbA1c <53 mmol/mol; TIR ≥70%) metabolic control were searched using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Living in a nuclear family, male gender, younger age and a school assistant for diabetes management were associated with the simultaneous presence of both indicators of optimal metabolic control. Poor glycaemic control, as estimated by HbA1c, was associated with lower parental education and the child's older age. Parental smoking and the child's older age were associated with poor TIR.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the importance of sociodemographic factors in care of Finnish paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Sociodemographic status markers of the family could be used as triggers to alert paediatric diabetes teams to offer more tailored care to families with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Determinants of health-related quality of life in children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic

AIM

To identify the determinants of self-reported health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the coronavirus pandemic.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The study sample included 182 children and adolescents who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at least 3 months prior. Data collection instruments included sociodemographic and glycaemic control protocol adherence questionnaires, documentation sheet for recording clinical data, and Serbian versions of the EuroQol-5D-Y and KidScreen27 questionnaires, which were used to assess health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Glycaemic control adherence, presence of comorbidities, level of metabolic control, and type of insulin therapy were identified as key determinants of self-reported health-related quality of life.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contributions.

Metabolic control and quality of life in type 1 diabetes: Do adherence, family support, and school support matter?

This study analyzed the relationship between clinical and demographic variables, family support, school support, and adherence on adolescents' metabolic control and quality of life (QoL) based on Adaptation to Chronic Disease in Childhood's model. The sample included 100 adolescents and 100 parents. Adolescents were assessed on adherence, family support, school support, and QoL. Parents were assessed on family functioning and parental coping. A path analysis was performed to assess the adequacy of the theoretical model to the sample. Daily glycemic monitoring was associated with better metabolic control and diabetes hospitalizations with worse metabolic control. The final model showed adherence, family support, school support, and family functioning having an indirect effect on the relationship between adolescence stage, number of daily glycemic monitorings, number of hospitalizations, and metabolic control/QoL. Adherence had an indirect effect on the relationship between glycemic monitoring and family and school support, suggesting that adolescents need both types of support to perform diabetes self-care tasks. QoL showed a direct effect on metabolic control revealing the importance of QoL in the design of interventions to promote metabolic control in adolescents.

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Nigeria: clinical characteristics and compliance with care

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is increasing in most developed and developing countries. This study described the clinical characteristics and compliance with care among Nigerian children and adolescents with T1DM.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive multi-center study of children seen at the paediatric endocrinology clinic of seven selected tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. Information was collected on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics and compliance of the children with dietary recommendations and insulin therapy. Compliance with dietary recommendations and insulin therapy was graded as either good or poor based on defined criteria.

RESULTS

The mean age of children was 13.1 ± 4.7 years. The mean age of children at the diagnosis of T1DM was 9.9 ± 4.2 years. Sixty-nine (60%) children were female while about half (47.8%) of the children were from the lower socioeconomic class. Compliance with insulin administration was good in 39.1% of the children and was significantly associated with the father's (p=0.001) and mother's educational status (p=0.024) while compliance with dietary recommendations was good in 20.0% of the children and was significantly associated with mother's educational status (p=0.034) and family socioeconomic class (p=0.010). Only the mother's level of education was independently and significantly associated with compliance to recommendations on insulin therapy (OR 4.2, 95% CI=1.5-11.6, p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The compliance of children with dietary recommendations and insulin therapy was poor. Efforts should be strengthened at all healthcare facilities to educate parents on the need for compliance with management guidelines.

Models of lifelong care for children and adolescents with chronic conditions in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or chronic conditions account for one-third of disability-adjusted life-years among children and adolescents under the age of 20. Health systems must adapt to respond to the growing burden of NCDs among children and adolescents who are more likely to be marginalised from healthcare access and are at higher risk for poor outcomes. We undertook a review of recent literature on existing models of chronic lifelong care for children and adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries with a variety of NCDs and chronic conditions to summarise common care components, service delivery approaches, resources invested and health outcomes.

Children with type one diabetes who are migrants and refugees suffer from poor metabolic control and frequent acute complications, a study from Jordan, a limited resource country with high migrant/refugee population

BACKGROUND

Data from developed countries show that pediatric patients with type one diabetes (T1D) who are migrants/refugees suffer from poor metabolic control and frequent complications. Their status in developing countries is underreported.

AIM

To compare Jordanian and migrant/refugee children with T1D in terms of socio-demographic and metabolic characteristics.

METHODS

This is a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study. It was completed using Microsoft forms and patients/caregivers were asked to consent if they agreed to answer.

RESULTS

A total of 146 children with T1D were enrolled in the study (42, 28.8% migrants/refugees). Jordanian and migrant/refugee children with T1D had poor metabolic control: average HbA1c was 8.9 ± 1.99% (74 ± 22 mmol/mol) and 9.0 ± 1.93% (75 ± 21 mmol/mol), respectively P = 0.81. Migrant children with T1D suffered from recurrent hypoglycemia more than the Jordanian group 33 (78.6%) and 56 (53.8%) respectively, p = 0.006. Although not statistically significant, recurrent attacks of DKA was reported more in the migrant/refugee group 13 (31.0%) and 18 (17.3%) respectively, p = 0.068.

CONCLUSION

Both Jordanian children with T1D and those who are refugees/migrants had poor metabolic control. However, those who are of migrant/refugee background were more likely to develop acute complications related to diabetes.

Effect of the COVID-19 quarantine on metabolic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Introduction

Metabolic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D) depends on many factors such as eating habits, exercise and lifestyle. The objective of this study was to investigate how these factors were affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and impacted metabolic control in children with T1D.

Materials and method

One hundred children with T1D were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements, snack and meal frequency, carbohydrate consumption, HbA1c levels, and exercise patterns were recorded and compared before and after the lockdown. Subjects were divided into two subgroups—patients with decreased and patients with increased HbA1c levels after the lockdown—and comparisons of the same parameters were also made between these two subgroups.

Results

In the overall group, the mean HbA1c level was significantly higher after the lockdown compared to before (p = 0.035). Meal schedules changed due to delayed sleep and waking times, and total daily carbohydrate consumption increased in the subgroup with increased HbA1c while it decreased in the subgroup with decreased HbA1c (p < 0.001 for both).

Conclusion

Our study supports the notion that blood sugar management in children with T1D worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is not possible to explain this with any one factor, some behavioral changes observed in our study, such as inactivity, irregular meal frequency and timing, and irregular sleep and waking patterns appeared to be associated with blood sugar management.

Is diabetic ketoacidosis a good predictor of 5-year metabolic control in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes?

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of DKA at diabetes diagnosis was associated with poorer metabolic control during a 5-year follow-up.

METHODS

The study included children treated due to newly diagnosed T1D complicated with DKA between 2010 and 2014 with a complete 5-year follow-up. In every case we performed individual matching for age, gender and BMI with a person without DKA (nDKA) on recognition. We collected data regarding treatment modality, HbA_1C, total daily insulin dose, basal insulin and BMI-SDS.

RESULTS

85 children at the median age of 7.93 years had DKA at diabetes diagnosis. The median pH was 7.19.Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) was used in 87% of participants in each group. No differences in HbA_1C level (7,3%vs7,2%;p = .413) were noted after 5 years of disease duration. The severity of ketoacidosis exerted no significant effect on HbA_1C. The method of insulin delivery at baseline was significantly associated with HbA_1C levels after 5 years of observation, β_CSII = - 1.46,95%CI[- 2.01 to - 0.92],p < .001.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of DKA at diabetes diagnosis is not associated with deteriorated long-term metabolic control in children using modern technologies. The early implementation of CSII into diabetes treatment may change the effect of DKA and lead to a long-term HbA_1C improvement.

Effect of the COVID-19 quarantine on metabolic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D) depends on many factors such as eating habits, exercise and lifestyle. The objective of this study was to investigate how these factors were affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and impacted metabolic control in children with T1D.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

One hundred children with T1D were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements, snack and meal frequency, carbohydrate consumption, HbA1c levels, and exercise patterns were recorded and compared before and after the lockdown. Subjects were divided into two subgroups-patients with decreased and patients with increased HbA1c levels after the lockdown-and comparisons of the same parameters were also made between these two subgroups.

RESULTS

In the overall group, the mean HbA1c level was significantly higher after the lockdown compared to before (p=0.035). Meal schedules changed due to delayed sleep and waking times, and total daily carbohydrate consumption increased in the subgroup with increased HbA1c while it decreased in the subgroup with decreased HbA1c (p<0.001 for both).

CONCLUSION

Our study supports the notion that blood sugar management in children with T1D worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is not possible to explain this with any one factor, some behavioral changes observed in our study, such as inactivity, irregular meal frequency and timing, and irregular sleep and waking patterns appeared to be associated with blood sugar management.