Association of type 1 diabetes and school wellbeing: a population-based cohort study of 436,439 Danish schoolchildren

Educational outcomes and the role of comorbidity among adolescents with type 1-diabetes in Denmark

AIMS

To examine educational outcomes among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and determine the role of comorbidity.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study including 3370 individuals born between 1991 and 2003 and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before the age of 16. They were all matched with up to four individuals without type 1 diabetes on age, gender, parents' educational level and immigration status. Information on comorbidity was based on hospital diagnoses. The individuals were followed in registers to determine whether they finished compulsory school (9th grade, usually at the age of 15-16 years), and were enrolled in secondary education by age 18 years.

RESULTS

Individuals with type 1 diabetes were more likely not to complete compulsory school (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.26-1.64), and not being enrolled in an upper secondary education by age 18 (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.31-1.73) compared to their peers. A total of 1869 (56%) individuals with type 1 diabetes were registered with at least one somatic (n = 1709) or psychiatric comorbidity (n = 389). Those with type 1 diabetes and psychiatric comorbidity were more likely not to complete compulsory school (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.54-3.96), and not being enrolled in an upper secondary education by age 18 (OR 3.66, 95% CI 2.27-5.91) compared to those with type 1 diabetes only. Further, there was a tendency towards an association between having somatic comorbidity and adverse educational outcomes (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.97-1.63; OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.95-1.66) among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The associations differed markedly between diagnostic comorbidity groups.

CONCLUSION

Type 1 diabetes affects educational attainment and participation among adolescents. Psychiatric comorbidity contributes to adverse educational outcomes in this group, and there is a tendency that somatic comorbidity also plays a role.

Diabetes Management Support in Preschool and Primary School: A Qualitative Ideation Study Presenting Recommendations for Improved Communicative Practice

Diabetes care in institutional settings is a significant challenge that affects the whole family as well as care workers and teachers. The present study is the ideation part of a rigorous development process in the KIds with Diabetes in School (KIDS) project. We have previously conducted a thorough three-part needs assessment in which we explored the problem area from the viewpoints of (1) municipal administrative staff, (2) preschool and school staff and (3) families. Based on the identified needs and to a great extent on the contents and shortcomings of existing guidelines, the objective of the present study is to explore and develop possible solutions and recommendations for addressing the challenges and problems. To meet this objective, we held comprehensive multistakeholder participatory workshops in each of the five Danish regions. Five main themes with multiple subthemes were identified as areas to be addressed: (1) training and knowledge, (2) communication and collaboration, (3) the designated contact/support person, (4) national guidelines, and (5) the Diabetes Coordinator. Our findings demonstrate that communicative structures and dynamics are at the very heart of the identified problems and challenges and that the possible solutions should revolve around improving existing structures and highlighting the importance of constantly working on understanding and developing communication strategies. We propose a set of recommendations for practice based on these communicative needs.

Municipal Support of Diabetes Management in Daycare, Kindergarten and School: A Qualitative Study of Differences, Challenges and Potentials

Diabetes care during institutional hours is a major challenge affecting the whole family. The aim of this study was to highlight challenges and potentials regarding municipal support in relation to diabetes care of children in school, kindergarten, and daycare. The dataset consists of 80 semi-structured online interviews with 121 municipal employees from 74 (of 98) municipalities in Denmark. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis produced four main themes: (1) Institutional staff initially feel insecure about diabetes care responsibilities, (2) There is a high degree of parental involvement and responsibilities during institutional hours, (3) The roles of health employees vary, and (4) Fluctuating allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs) creates challenges. The findings of this nationwide qualitative study show that, even though Denmark guarantees, by law, the child’s right to support in diabetes self-care in school and childcare institutions, diabetes management in Denmark still needs to be improved, with a view to ensuring equal support for all children with diabetes.

High engagement in mobile peer support is associated with better glycemic control in type 1 diabetes: a real-world study

AIMS

Peer support for diabetes has become convenient and interactive following the emergence of mobile health (mHealth). We aimed to evaluate the association between engagement in peer support via mHealth app and glycemic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

This retrospective study included adults with T1D who had joined the mobile community "TangTangQuan (TTQ)" since May 2018 for at least one year. "Like", "comment" and "share" were the major interaction indicators of mobile community and were used to assess engagement in peer support. The patients were divided into four engagement groups by quartile. The primary outcome was the change in HbA_1c , mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PBG) from baseline to the 12th month. Other outcomes included the change of self-monitoring of blood glucose frequency, hypoglycemia frequency, and the proportion of reaching optimal glycemic control.

RESULTS

Among the 693 individuals, the HbA_1c , mean FBG and PBG improved in the 12th month. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher engagement in peer support was associated with a greater reduction of HbA_1c (β=-0.45, P<0.001) and mean FBG (β=-0.82, P<0.001). In the subgroup of poor glycemic control, the association between engagement in peer support and glycemic improvement still remained (HbA_1c : β=-0.86, P=0.002; FBG: β=-1.36, P=0.001). The engagement in mobile peer support was positively correlated with educational level (OR=1.42, P=0.042), household income (OR=1.43, P=0.013), and the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (OR=1.73, P=0.009).

CONCLUSION

High engagement in mobile peer support was associated with better glycemic control in adults with T1D.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control and use of health services among children followed at a Danish diabetes clinic

Aim

During COVID‐19 restrictions, the paediatric clinic only accepted essential outpatient visits, schools closed, sports activities and social life were limited. Most employees worked at home. This quasi‐experiment evaluates how this affected glycaemic control and use of health services among children with diabetes.

Methods

Paired t‐tests were used to compare HbA1c‐values before, during and after lockdown. Sub‐analyses were stratified by pre‐lockdown HbA1c‐values.

Results

Overall mean HbA1c decreased from 58.3 to 56.9 mmol/mol (p = 0.025) from pre‐ to post‐lockdown, a decrease also seen during the same season the previous year. HbA1c decreased by −4.2 mmol/mol (p = 0.002) for patients with pre‐lockdown HbA1c > 59 mmol/mol, but increased slightly by 0.8 mmol/mol (p = 0.176) for patients with HbA1c < 52 mmol/mol. HbA1c measured 8 months post‐lockdown increased again, most pronounced for patients with lowest HbA1c. During lockdown, virtual contacts increased from 0.1 to 0.5 contacts/patient/month and stayed post‐lockdown at 0.3 contacts/patient/month.

Conclusion

Compared to 2019, overall the COVID‐19 restrictions did not influence the glycaemic control negatively. However, patients with pre‐lockdown HbA1c < 52 mmol/mol experienced a deterioration, whereas those with HbA1c > 59 mmol/mol experienced an improvement. Less stress and more contact with parents may contribute to the last‐mentioned finding. The lockdown enforced more virtual contacts between patients and the clinic.