Treatment challenges for the young patient with type 1 diabetes

Development and delivery of a brief family behavioral intervention to support continuous glucose monitor use in young children with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Despite potential glycemic benefits of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use in young children with type 1 diabetes, psychosocial and behavioral challenges may interfere with sustained use. We developed a 5-session family behavioral intervention (FBI) to support CGM use.

OBJECTIVE

We report on the multi-step development of the FBI, training interventionists, implementation in a 14-site clinical trial, and participant satisfaction.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team created the FBI based on mixed-methods (i.e., survey data, qualitative research) preliminary work with parents of young children. Investigators trained non-physician staff to deliver the 5 sessions per an intervention manual. Trial participants received the FBI either during the first (FBI group, n = 50) or second 6-months (Crossover group, n = 44) of the 1-year trial. Investigators listened to session recordings to rate intervention fidelity, and participants rated satisfaction with the FBI.

RESULTS

The complete 5-session FBI was delivered to 89% of participants, in-person (73%) or by telephone (23%). Sessions lasted 23 min on average, and fidelity was high across sessions. Over 80% of participants rated very high satisfaction with all aspects of the FBI and offered few recommendations for improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Having been developed based on experiences and input of families of young children with type 1 diabetes, the FBI represented a novel behavioral approach to enhance sustained CGM use during a challenging developmental period. Evidence of strong feasibility and acceptability supports its potential for implementation in research and clinical care. As diabetes technologies evolve, the FBI may continue to be refined to address parents' most relevant concerns.

Trend of Diabetes-Related Hospital Admissions During the Transition Period From Adolescence to Adulthood in the State of California

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the incidence of diabetes-related hospital admissions and described the characteristics among youth and emerging adults with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in California.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted using the statewide inpatient database during the years 2014-2018. Individuals aged 13-24 years hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or severe hypoglycemia (SH) were recorded. Demographic characteristics and health measures among youth (ages 13-18) and young adults (ages 19-24) were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 34,749 admission encounters for T1D and 3,304 for T2D were analyzed. Hospitalization rates significantly increased with age during the transition to adulthood, from 70/100,000 California population at age 17 to 132/100,000 at age 19 in T1D. Higher hospitalization rates were demonstrated in young adults than in youth in T1D, and the rate was significantly higher in Black young adults (23.9%) than in youth (12.0%) among the age-adjusted population with diabetes (P < 0.0001). More young adults admitted were on public insurance, and approximately half were from the lowest income quartile. No difference was observed in hospital length of stay; however, hospital charges were higher among young adults. Young adults were three times more likely to be admitted for severe conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated a significant rise in hospital admission during the transition period in individuals with T1D. There were significantly more Black young adults who were on public insurance and had lower socioeconomic status. Our findings suggest that the health care system fails many emerging adults with diabetes, particularly for people of color, and that improving medical transition is crucial.

Disordered eating behaviours, body image and social networking in a type 1 diabetes population

The purpose of this study was twofold: to examine predictors of disordered eating behaviours and body image dissatisfaction, including social networking, among type 1 diabetes population, and to qualitatively explore the relationship between type 1 diabetes management and body image. A convenience sample of 121 type 1 diabetes patients (F = 106; M_age = 36 ± 6.5) was collected via online questionnaires, of which 98 patients responded to two open-ended questions. Young age and negative body image explained 58.8 per cent of disordered eating variance, while body weight and social networking negatively contributed to poor body image (29.9%). Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: no control over body weight, limitation in clothing options and discomfort towards medical equipment.

Technology Use in Transition-Age Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: Reality and Promises

Youth with chronic illnesses have the greatest risk for a decline in their health management during transition-age. Because of this demonstrated and well-known issue, research has focused on how to improve the transition of care process. Despite the increasing number of technological devices on the market and the advances in telemedicine modalities available to patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the utilization of technology is still suboptimal among patients of transition-age (ages 13-25). This article reviews the available resources, patterns of use in transition-age youth, and explores opportunities to advance technology use in transitioning patients with T1D from pediatric to adult care.