Intervention to reduce hypoglycemia fear in parents of young kids using video-based telehealth (REDCHiP)

Impact of Digitally Enabled Peer Support Interventions on Diabetes Distress and Depressive Symptoms in People Living with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To explore the impact of digitally-enabled peer support interventions on diabetes distress and depression for individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

RECENT FINDINGS

We synthesized the results of nine key studies from a review of 3,623 English-language articles published between January 2012 and January 2024. Three studies demonstrated significant reductions in diabetes distress, and two studies reported reductions in depression. Data were analyzed using a narrative approach, including thematic synthesis. This process was structured around the Behavior Change Wheel framework Effective interventions shared several common features such as (1) involved participatory development approaches, (2) included diabetes education, (3) lasted over a longer time, (4) designed with a psychological framework, and (5) utilized peer mentors. Studies showed that digitally-enabled peer support has the potential to improve diabetes distress and depression among people living with T1D despite heterogeneity in intervention approaches. Moreover, designing interventions with certain features may enhance key psychosocial outcomes.

Type 1 diabetes-related distress: Current implications in care

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex chronic disease associated with major health and economic consequences, also involving important issues in the psychosocial sphere. In this regard, T1D-related distress, defined as the emotional burden of living with T1D, has emerged as a specific entity related to the disease. Diabetes distress (DD) is an overlooked but prevalent condition in people living with T1D, and has significant implications in both glycemic control and mental health in this population. Although overlapping symptoms may be found between DD and mental health disorders, specific approaches should be performed for the diagnosis of this problem. In recent years, different DD-targeted interventions have been postulated, including behavioral and psychosocial strategies. Moreover, new technologies in this field may be helpful to address DD in people living with T1D. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge on T1D-related distress, and we also discuss the current approaches and future perspectives in its management.

Recommendations for recognizing, risk stratifying, treating, and managing children and adolescents with hypoglycemia

There has been continuous progress in diabetes management over the last few decades, not least due to the widespread dissemination of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery systems. These technological advances have radically changed the daily lives of people living with diabetes, improving the quality of life of both children and their families. Despite this, hypoglycemia remains the primary side-effect of insulin therapy. Based on a systematic review of the available scientific evidence, this paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for recognizing, risk stratifying, treating, and managing patients with hypoglycemia. The objective of these recommendations is to unify the behavior of pediatric diabetologists with respect to the timely recognition and prevention of hypoglycemic episodes and the correct treatment of hypoglycemia, especially in patients using CGM or advanced hybrid closed-loop systems. All authors have long experience in the specialty and are members of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology. The goal of treating hypoglycemia is to raise blood glucose above 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and to prevent further decreases. Oral glucose at a dose of 0.3 g/kg (0.1 g/kg for children using "smart pumps" or hybrid closed loop systems in automated mode) is the preferred treatment for the conscious individual with blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), although any form of carbohydrate (e.g., sucrose, which consists of glucose and fructose, or honey, sugary soft drinks, or fruit juice) containing glucose may be used. Using automatic insulin delivery systems, the oral glucose dose can be decreased to 0.1 g/kg. Practical flow charts are included to aid clinical decision-making. Although representing the official position of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED), these guidelines are applicable to the global audience and are especially pertinent in the era of CGM and other advanced technologies.

Group engagement in parent-focused telehealth interventions for families of children with type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Group engagement is an important component of video-based telehealth interventions, yet this construct remains understudied. In the present study, we applied a multidimensional conceptualization of group engagement in two video-based telehealth interventions that either aimed to reduce fear of hypoglycemia or diabetes distress in parents of children with type 1 diabetes. We examined variability in group engagement across parents and assessed the relationship between parents' level of group engagement and their treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Twenty-nine parents participated in one of two manualized, closed-group, telehealth interventions and completed outcome measures pre- and post-treatment. We behaviorally coded telehealth sessions based on six dimensions of group engagement using the Group Engagement Measure (inter-rater reliability = 0.94). We examined correlations between group engagement dimensions, parent psychosocial well-being, and child hemoglobin A1c. Further, we examined independent sample t-tests to assess differences between treatment groups.

RESULTS

Mean parent age was 37.69  ±  6.83 years, mean child age was 7.69  ±  3.76 years, and mean child hemoglobin A1c was 8.06  ±  1.27% (41.4% had a hemoglobin A1c <7.5%). Parents who spent more time attending to other group member's issues, reported lower hypoglycemia fear at post-treatment, and parents who showed more active support of the group leader's purpose/goals during the session also reported fewer depressive symptoms at post-treatment.

DISCUSSION

We identify several dimensions of group engagement that are associate with improved parent psychosocial and child hemoglobin A1c outcomes. Intervention designs that use group engagement to guide treatment planning or inform treatment-related decisions in video-based telehealth interventions could help families achieve more optimal treatment outcomes.

Psychosocial Care for Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: Summary of Reviews to Inform Clinical Practice

The intensive demands of diabetes care can be difficult for youth with type 1 diabetes and their families to integrate into daily life. Standards of care in pediatric diabetes highlight the importance of evidence-based psychosocial interventions to optimize self-management behaviors and psychological well-being. The current review summarizes select systematic reviews and meta-analyses on evidence-based behavioral health interventions in pediatric diabetes. Interventions include strategies to strengthen youth psychosocial skills, improve family dynamics and caregiver mental health, enhance health and mental health equity, and address psychosocial factors related to diabetes technology use.

The Relationship Between Parent Fear of Hypoglycemia and Youth Glycemic Control Across the Recent-Onset Period in Families of Youth with Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

This study aims to examine the relationship between parents' fear of hypoglycemia (FH) over a 1-year period and child glucose metrics in 126 families of youth recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

Parents completed the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey for Parents (HFS-P) and uploaded 14 days of glucose data at a baseline, 6-month, and 12-month assessment.

RESULTS

Parents' HFS-P total and worry scores increased to a clinically meaningful degree from baseline to 6-month assessment, while multilevel models revealed within- and between-person variability in parents' HFS-P worry and behavior scores over time associated with child glycemia. Specifically, a significant negative relationship for within-person worry scores suggested that when parents reported higher than their average worry scores, their children recorded fewer glucose values in the target range, while within-person behavior scores suggested that when parents reported lower than their average behavior scores, their children recorded more values above the target range. There was also a negative relationship for between-person behavior scores with child glycated hemoglobin and a positive relationship for between-person behavior scores with child glucose values in the target range.

CONCLUSIONS

In the recent-onset period of T1D, parental FH worry and behavior associated with child glycemia possibly due to changes in parents' perceptions of their child's hypoglycemia risk. The clinically meaningful increases in parent FH in the recent-onset period and the negative association for between-person behavior scores with child glycated hemoglobin suggest that clinics should consider screening parents for FH, especially among parents of children with lower glycemic levels.

Group-based patient education via videoconference: A scoping review

OBJECTIVES

To summarize recent evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of videoconference (VC) group-based patient and caregiver education.

METHODS

Systematic searches of the literature were conducted. Data was extracted on the characteristics of the studies and interventions and on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the interventions.

RESULTS

From 12,570 hits, 65 studies were eligible for inclusion. Their results confirmed previously identified tendencies of high feasibility and acceptability of VC group patient education, and improved health outcomes. However, evidence of effectiveness is limited, and the quality of studies is varied. Several patient and caregiver groups also remain under-researched. Only four studies stated that facilitators were trained in using VC-technology.

CONCLUSION

VC group-based patient and caregiver education is feasible and acceptable and may improve health outcomes for participant patients and caregivers. However future research should increase the number of high-quality randomized controlled trials to establish the effectiveness of VC group-based education for several groups of patients and caregivers. Studies of the training of facilitators is also warranted.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results suggest that interventions should be more accessible. An overview of the recent evidence may also stimulate the development and evaluation of VC group-based patient and caregiver education.

Burden and Coping Strategies of Hypoglycemia in People with Diabetes

Hypoglycemia is a limiting adverse effect of glucose-lowering medications and particularly insulin replacement therapy. This review provides insights into the burden of hypoglycemia in the management of diabetes and outlines strategies available to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and improve patients' well-being. People with type 1 diabetes are primarily affected by hypoglycemic episodes which are associated with direct physical harms like injuries and cardiac events as well as indirect psychosocial consequences including constant anxiety, absenteeism, increased healthcare costs and overall poorer quality of life. These complications are more prominent amongst individuals with hypoglycemia unawareness or overnight hypoglycemia and could even extend to caregivers such as parents of children with diabetes. Patients experiencing frequent or severe hypoglycemic events might also develop a pathological fear of hypoglycemia and adopt aberrant behaviors intending to maintain higher blood glucose levels. Modern pharmaceutical options with a safer profile in terms of hypoglycemia are available including novel basal insulins with lower rates of nocturnal hypoglycemia along with ultra-rapid-acting insulin analogs with a shorter duration of action that might avert late post-meal hypoglycemia. Continuous glucose monitoring and sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy with low glucose suspend technology can also prevent hypoglycemia, although concerns about cost and patient satisfaction remain. Advancements in insulin therapy and technological modalities should be coupled with ongoing education and support for patients to become co-managers of their disease and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

The burdens faced by parents of preschoolers with type 1 diabetes mellitus: an integrative review

PURPOSE

This study examined the literature concerning the burdens of parents of preschool-aged children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

We employed an integrative review methodology based on Whittemore and Knafl's framework. The literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, the Cumulative Index to Nursing Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO. Ultimately, 18 articles were included in the review.

RESULTS

The review yielded four themes: (1) parental burdens, (2) factors related to the burdens, (3) coping strategies, and (4) implications for clinical practice. Parents experienced psychological, physical, and social burdens due to the diabetes care of their children. Several factors influenced burdens, including child-related characteristics such as age, severity of diabetes, and hospitalization experience, as well as parental factors like family income, race, and residential area. Parents initially felt burdened when their child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but over time, they often adapted to the situation through support and sharing of responsibilities. Parents desired education and interventions reflecting the unique characteristics of preschoolers.

CONCLUSION

This integrative literature review revealed that parents experience numerous burdens when their child is diagnosed with diabetes. Future research should focus on developing interventions to address parents' psychological difficulties, including tracking parental psychological changes over time. Tailored nursing interventions should also be provided to parents of preschool-aged children, as opposed to the more generic nursing interventions traditionally applied across all age groups of children in clinical settings.

Narrowing the Divide: The Role of Telehealth in Type 1 Diabetes Care for Marginalized Communities

Widespread uptake of telehealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted geographic, demographic, and economic disparities in access to virtual care. However, research studies and clinical programs that predate the pandemic demonstrate the potential for telehealth-based interventions to improve access to and outcomes of type 1 diabetes (T1D) care for individuals in geographically or socially marginalized communities. In this expert commentary, we discuss telehealth-based care models that have been successful in improving care for marginalized T1D populations. We also outline the policy changes needed to expand access to such interventions to reduce established disparities in T1D care and promote better health equity among people living with T1D.

Physical Activity Management for Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Supporting Active and Inactive Children

Regular physical activity and exercise are important for youth and essential components of a healthy lifestyle. For youth with type 1 diabetes, regular physical activity can promote cardiovascular fitness, bone health, insulin sensitivity, and glucose management. However, the number of youth with type 1 diabetes who regularly meet minimum physical activity guidelines is low, and many encounter barriers to regular physical activity. Additionally, some health care professionals (HCPs) may be unsure how to approach the topic of exercise with youth and families in a busy clinic setting. This article provides an overview of current physical activity research in youth with type 1 diabetes, a basic description of exercise physiology in type 1 diabetes, and practical strategies for HCPs to conduct effective and individualized exercise consultations for youth with type 1 diabetes.

Related factors associated with fear of hypoglycemia in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes - A systematic review

PROBLEM

Fear of hypoglycemia is a significant concern for parents of children/ adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Although some studies have explained the parental fear of hypoglycemia, the related factors were yet to be determined. This systematic review aims to identify the related factors of fear of hypoglycemia in the parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and provide a theoretical basis for further intervention.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from 2010 to 2021. Studies evaluating the fear of hypoglycemia of parents and its associated factors were included.

SAMPLE

Twenty-three observational articles met the criteria.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between fear of hypoglycemia and specific factors, including motherhood, nocturnal hypoglycemia, and the number of blood glucose monitoring. Psychological factors, including anxiety, depression, pediatric parenting stress, mindfulness, self-efficacy, quality of life, and sleep disorders, were conclusive and associations with parental fear of hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding parental fear of hypoglycemia can help parents prevent potential problems in diabetes management, thus promoting children's growth. According to current evidence, effective targeted interventions based on modifiable relevant factors can be developed to reduce the fear of hypoglycemia in parents while maintaining optimal blood glucose control in children/ adolescents.

IMPLICATIONS

Health professionals should pay more attention to the mental health of parents, and parents should be involved in the care plan and have the opportunity to discuss their fear of hypoglycemia in the most appropriate way to manage type 1 diabetes.

Physical Activity, Glycemic Variability, and Parental Hypoglycemia Fear in Preschoolers With Type 1 Diabetes

PURPOSE

The authors examined associations between preschoolers' daily glycemic variability, parents' report of hypoglycemia fear, and preschoolers' daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in 25 families of preschoolers with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Parents completed a valid measure of hypoglycemia fear, and their child wore an accelerometer for up to 7 days. Parents provided glucose data from their child's devices. The authors used multiple regression and multilevel modeling to analyze their data.

RESULTS

Preschoolers (mean age 4.2 [1.7] y; 50% boys) engaged in a mean of 154.5 (59.6) and 339.2 (85.1) minutes of MVPA and SB per day, respectively, and parents reported relatively low levels of hypoglycemia worry and avoidance behaviors. Preschoolers' SB (r = .19, P = .02) and MVPA (r = -.20, P = .01) levels were significantly correlated with parental hypoglycemia worry scores but not with parents' hypoglycemia behavior scores (P = .15 and P = .92, respectively). While multilevel models did not show an association between MVPA and preschoolers' glycemic variability, preschoolers who engaged in more daily SB experienced higher glycemic variability (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Research exploring MVPA, SB, and parental hypoglycemia fear in preschoolers with type 1 diabetes could have important clinical implications because it may reveal modifiable treatment targets that can impact preschoolers' health and activity patterns.

Fear of hypoglycemia-An underestimated problem

INTRODUCTION

Fear of hypoglycemia (FOH) is a phenomenon that affects people with diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia. On the one hand, FOH is an adaptive mechanism that helps to protect patients from hypoglycemia and its consequences. On the other hand, the non-normative level of FOH causes anxiety and tension, disturbs normal functioning, and makes normoglycemia maintenance difficult.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this review was to describe factors influencing FOH and methods of measurement of FOH levels. Moreover, we highlighted the impact of the new technologies used in diabetes therapy on FOH and different therapeutic possibilities helping patients cope with excessive levels of FOH. We also presented clinical cases of patients with high FOH levels met in clinical practice and discussed methods to better diagnose and assist people with this kind of problem.

METHODS

We searched for studies and articles via PubMed using the keywords fear of hypoglycemia, diabetes, and hypoglycemia. From screened documents identified from literature search, 67 articles were included in our review.

RESULTS

We divided results from literature screening into five parts: fear of hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia definition, risk factors for the FOH, methods of measuring levels of FOH, therapies for the FOH, and modern technologies. We also described clinical examples of abnormal fear of hypoglycemia in patients.

CONCLUSION

The review highlights the importance of taking into consideration fear of hypoglycemia phenomenon in diabetic patients in everyday clinical practice.

Young Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Recent Advances in Behavioral Research

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides a recent update of behavioral research pertinent to young children with T1D and addresses current priorities and future directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Rates of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in young children (ages 1-7) are continuing to rise. Since 2014, changes to diabetes care and management have impacted young children and reinforced the need for increased attention and interventions to support diabetes management, especially in caregivers who are primarily responsible for their young child's diabetes management. T1D is associated with unique physiologic challenges in young children, with constant management demands elevating parental diabetes-related stress and fear of hypoglycemia. Diabetes technology use has significantly increased in young children, contributing to improvements in glycemic levels and parent and child psychosocial functioning. Yet despite the positive outcomes demonstrated in select clinical behavioral interventions, research with this young child age group remains limited in scope and quantity.

The impact of hypoglycaemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes on parental quality of life and related outcomes: A systematic review

This systematic review aims to summarize and critically evaluate the current evidence regarding the impact of hypoglycaemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes on parental quality of life. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Inclusion criteria were: 1) quantitative design, 2) included parents of children or adolescents with type 1 diabetes, 3) assessment of hypoglycemia in children/adolescents with type 1 diabetes, 4) assessment of parent quality of life (or related domains of life), and 5) analysis of the relationship(s) between the child's hypoglycaemia and parents' quality of life. The data were summarised in accordance with Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis Guidelines. Twelve studies were included, reporting data from 1895 parents across six countries. Ten studies were cross-sectional; two included prospective data. Evidence suggested that greater frequency and severity of hypoglycemia was associated with greater parental fear of hypoglycemia, emotional distress and family burden. Children's hypoglycaemia has a negative impact on the well-being of parents, but there is an absence of evidence regarding the impact on their overall quality of life. Research into the hypoglycaemia-specific quality of life of parents is needed to explore the impact on various areas, such as social and physical dimensions.

Promoting Mental Health in Parents of Young Children Using eHealth Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Parent stress and mental health problems negatively impact early child development. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the effect of eHealth interventions on parent stress and mental health outcomes, and identify family- and program-level factors that may moderate treatment effects. A search of PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane and Embase databases was conducted from their inception dates to July 2020. English-language controlled and open trials were included if they reported: (a) administration of an eHealth intervention, and (b) stress or mental health outcomes such as self-report or clinical diagnosis of anxiety and depression, among (c) parents of children who were aged 1–5 years old. Non-human studies, case reports, reviews, editorials, letters, dissertations, and books were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools. Random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean differences (SMD) were conducted and meta-regressions tested potential moderators. 38 studies were included (N = 4360 parents), from 13 countries (47.4% USA). Meta-analyses indicated eHealth interventions were associated with better self-reported mental health among parents (overall SMD = .368, 95% CI 0.228, 0.509), regardless of study design (k = 30 controlled, k = 8 pre-post) and across most outcomes (k = 17 anxiety, k = 19 depression, k = 12 parenting stress), with small to medium effect sizes. No significant family- or program-level moderators emerged. Despite different types and targets, eHealth interventions offer a promising and accessible option to promote mental health among parents of young children. Further research is needed on moderators and the long-term outcomes of eHealth interventions. Prospero Registration: CRD42020190719.

Fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life in young people with type 1 diabetes and their parents in the era of sensor glucose monitoring

INTRODUCTION

It is crucial to understand psychosocial outcomes in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their families to provide optimal family-centered care. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore psychosocial outcomes in young people with T1D and their parents using currently available glucose monitoring devices in a real-life clinic setting.

METHODS

Children and adolescents aged 2-18 years with T1D for more than 6 months and their parents were recruited into a cross-sectional study to complete the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Score Scales, Diabetes Module and Family Impact Module. Demographics and diabetes-specific parameters were obtained from medicals records.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine children and adolescents (mean age 15.1 ± 3.0 years) and 49 parents of children (mean age of children 12.5± 3.3 years) of which 44 were child-parent dyads completed the questionnaires. Parents had a higher mean (SD) FOH total and worry subscore than children, total score was 37.9 (14.6) vs. 32.2 (11.9), p = 0.047 and worry subscore was 17.8 (10.4) vs. 12.8 (9.0), p = 0.01. Furthermore, lower parental diabetes-specific QoL score was observed in parents, 78.8 (12.2) vs. 82.7 (10.3), p=0.02. No difference in FOH and QoL between real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) and intermittently scanned glucose monitoring (isCGM) users and users of devices with and without alerts was observed. In isCGM users (n=36 completing the child questionnaires, n=33 completing parent questionnaires), higher parental FOH and lower parental diabetes-specific QoL correlated with higher scanning frequency, r = 0.399, p = 0.021, and r = -0.464, p = 0.007 respectively. No significant correlation was documented between scanning frequency and child questionnaire scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents are more likely to perceive higher levels of psychosocial burden related to their child's diabetes than children and adolescents with T1D, especially parents of younger children. This highlights the need for family-based education and treatment resources to support parents in diabetes management in addition to rapidly advancing diabetes technology. In isCGM users, higher parental FOH and lower parent-perceived QoL correlated with a higher scanning frequency, indicating the potential impact of glucose monitoring modality on psychosocial outcomes or vice versa.

A Nonrandomized Pilot of a Group Video-Based Telehealth Intervention to Reduce Diabetes Distress in Parents of Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES

Our aim in this study was to refine and pilot a video-based telehealth intervention to reduce diabetes distress, depressive symptoms and hypoglycemia fear in parents of school-age children with type 1 diabetes and to assess for changes in child glycated hemoglobin (A1C).

METHODS

We recruited 41 parents of children (5 to 12 years) to participate in a manualized, video-based telehealth intervention (Cognitive Adaptions to Reduce Emotional Stress [CARES]). Of these, 29 parents completed either a 12-week (n=13) or 8-week (n=16) version of CARES based on the timing of their recruitment. We assessed feasibility (i.e. attrition, attendance) and parent satisfaction with CARES. We used repeated-measures analysis of variance with parent group (8 vs 12 sessions) as a between-subject variable and time as a within-subject variable to measure change in our dependent variables.

RESULTS

Mostly mothers participated (97.3%). Parents' mean age was 39.65±6.84 years and children's mean age was 9.86±1.57 years at pretreatment. CARES had low attrition (20% to 25%) and good attendance (96% to 98%). Parents also reported high levels of treatment satisfaction (>85%). There were significant main effects for time for parent-reported diabetes distress and depressive symptoms at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. There was a statistical trend suggesting a time × group interaction for parent depressive symptoms at posttreatment. There was a significant main effect for time for hypoglycemia fear at the 3-month follow-up but no change at posttreatment. There was no change in child A1C at posttreatment.

CONCLUSION

CARES showed high parent satisfaction, good feasibility and promising results for reducing diabetes distress in parents of school-age children with type 1 diabetes.

Identifying HbA1c trajectories and modifiable risk factors of trajectories in 5- to 9-year-olds with recent-onset type 1 diabetes from the United States

OBJECTIVE

To explore glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) patterns in 5- to 9-year-olds in the recent-onset period of type 1 diabetes and identify parent psychosocial factors that may predict children's HbA1c trajectory using a prospective, longitudinal design.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We measured family demographics and parent psychosocial factors at baseline. We collected HbA1c levels from children every 3 months for up to 30 months. Deriving several features around HbA1c trends, we used k-means clustering to group trajectories and linear and logistic regressions to identify parent psychosocial predictors of children's HbA1c trajectories.

RESULTS

The final cohort included 106 families (48 boys, mean child age 7.50 ± 1.35 years and mean diabetes duration 4.71 ± 3.19 months). We identified four unique HbA1c trajectories in children: high increasing, high stable, intermediate increasing and low stable. Compared to a low stable trajectory, increasing parent-reported hypoglycaemia fear total score was associated with decreased odds of having a high stable or intermediate increasing trajectory. Increasing parent-reported diabetes-specific family conflict total score was associated with increased odds of having a high stable or intermediate increasing trajectory.

CONCLUSIONS

We are the first to identify distinct HbA1c trajectories in 5- to 9-year-olds with recent-onset type 1 diabetes as well as parent psychosocial factors that may predict high stable or increasing trajectories and could represent future treatment targets.

Newest Diabetes-Related Technologies for Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes and Its Impact on Routine Care: a Narrative Synthesis of the Literature

Purpose of Review

This review aims to address the actual state of the most advanced diabetes devices, as follows: continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (CSII), continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGM), hybrid-closed loop (HCL) systems, and “Do-it-yourself” Artificial Pancreas Systems (DIYAPS) in children, adolescents, and young adults. This review has also the objective to assess the use of telemedicine for diabetes care across three different areas: education, social media, and daily care.

Recent Findings

Recent advances in diabetes technology after integration of CSII with CGM have increased the popularity of this treatment modality in pediatric age and shifted the standard diabetes management in many countries. We found an impressive transition from the use of CSII and/or CGM only to integrative devices with automated delivery systems. Although much has changed over the past 5 years, including a pandemic period that precipitated a broader use of telemedicine in diabetes care, some advances in technology may still be an additional burden of care for providers, patients, and caregivers. The extent of a higher rate of “auto-mode” use in diabetes devices while using the HCL/DIYAPS is essential to reduce the burden of diabetes treatment.

Summary

More studies including higher-risk populations are needed, and efforts should be taken to ensure proper access to cost-effective advanced technology on diabetes care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40124-021-00248-7.

Hypoglycaemia and diabetes-specific quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To examine whether frequency, perceived severity and fear of hypoglycaemia are independently associated with diabetes-specific quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional self-reported data on demographics, frequency and perceived severity of both self-treated and severe hypoglycaemia, fear of hypoglycaemia (Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey-Child version) and diabetes-specific quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Diabetes Module; PedsQL-DM) were obtained from the project 'Whose diabetes is it anyway?'. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed for the total scale and recommended summary scores of the PedsQL-DM as dependent variables; independent variables were entered in the following steps: (1) age, gender and HbA_1c , (2) frequency of hypoglycaemia, (3) perceived severity of hypoglycaemia and (4) fear of hypoglycaemia.

RESULTS

Adolescents (12-18 years; n = 96) completed questionnaires. In the first three steps, female gender (p < 0.05), higher HbA_1c (p < 0.05), higher frequency of severe hypoglycaemia (p < 0.05) and higher perceived severity of severe (p < 0.05) and self-treated hypoglycaemia (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with lower diabetes-specific quality of life (β ranging from 0.20 to 0.35). However, in the final model only fear of hypoglycaemia was significantly associated with QoL (p < 0.001). Adolescents with greater fear reported lower diabetes-specific quality of life, with 52% explained variance. This pattern was observed across subdomains of diabetes-specific quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Fear of hypoglycaemia was the only factor independently associated with diabetes-specific quality of life, whereas frequency and perceived severity of hypoglycaemia were not. These findings highlight the importance of awareness and assessment of fear of hypoglycaemia in clinical practice.

Parent Perspectives on Educational and Psychosocial Intervention for Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes in Their School-Age Child: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVE

The recent-onset period of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in early school-age children should include comprehensive, parent-focused T1D education as well as family-centered resources and support to help with adjustment. Here, we present parent/caregiver perspectives on specific areas of concern during the recent-onset period of T1D and their preferred timing for different topics related to T1D education.

METHODS

Parents/caregivers of 5- to 9-year-old children with T1D completed a card-sorting task and qualitative interview to describe ongoing areas of concern and preferred educational topics during the first year after T1D diagnosis.

RESULTS

Thirteen parents/caregivers (aged 35.1 ± 6.9 years) of a child with T1D (aged 8.9 ± 0.8 years, 11.3 ± 7.0 months post-diagnosis) completed the card-sorting task, and 11 completed the qualitative interview. Parents/caregivers endorsed four preferred stages of education: basic education and T1D survival skills during month 1 post-diagnosis, application and practice of T1D skills from months 1-3, access to community supports to cope with anxiety and distress from months 3-6, and support to build autonomy and manage burnout beyond month 6 post-diagnosis. Parents/caregivers endorsed four main themes for ongoing concerns: anxiety, autonomy, distress, and support.

CONCLUSION

Parents endorsed four time points for education and psychosocial services within the first year of a T1D diagnosis. Parents/caregivers may benefit the most from psychosocial interventions 3-6 months post-diagnosis, once they have had sufficient time to develop basic T1D management skills. These findings support the need for regular parent psychosocial screening and access to scalable psychosocial interventions in the first year post-diagnosis of T1D.

Challenges and Considerations for Reducing Diabetes Distress and Fear of Hypoglycemia in Parents of Youth With Type 1 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Type 1 diabetes management can be challenging for children and their families. To address psychosocial concerns for parents of youth with type 1 diabetes, we developed two parent-focused interventions to reduce their diabetes distress and fear of hypoglycemia. Our team conducted several of these interventions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and recognized a need to make timely adjustments to our interventions. In this viewpoint article, we describe our experience conducting these manualized treatment groups during the pandemic, the range of challenges and concerns specific to COVID-19 that parents expressed, and how we adjusted our approach to better address parents' treatment needs.

Reducing Emotional Distress for Childhood Hypoglycemia in Parents (REDCHiP): Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial to Test a Video-Based Telehealth Intervention

Background

Despite the introduction of new insulin analogs, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) remain vulnerable to episodes of hypoglycemia because of their unpredictable eating and activity patterns and high degree of insulin sensitivity. Caregivers and young children living with T1D learn to fear hypoglycemia because it is uncomfortable, unpredictable, and dangerous. Up to 60% of caregivers of young children with T1D report moderate to severe levels of fear of hypoglycemia, and caregiver fear of hypoglycemia relates to lower quality of life for families and suboptimal child glycemic control. Yet, until recently, there have been no studies reporting on a targeted intervention to treat caregiver fear of hypoglycemia in families of young children.

Objective

The aim of this project is to conduct a randomized clinical trial of an innovative, video-based telehealth intervention to treat fear of hypoglycemia in caregivers of young children with T1D versus a relevant, age-appropriate attention control intervention.

Methods

We created the Reducing Emotional Distress for Childhood Hypoglycemia in Parents (REDCHiP) intervention by merging age-appropriate T1D education and behavioral parenting strategies with cognitive behavioral therapy strategies that are effective for reducing fear and promoting adaptive coping. REDCHiP uses 10 video-based telehealth sessions that are a combination of group and individual sessions. We will recruit up to 180 families of young children with T1D to participate in this clinical trial from two pediatric diabetes clinics located in the midwestern and southern United States. Once families have been enrolled, we will randomize caregivers based on child age (age 2-3 years or 4-5 years), child sex, and family CGM use to participate in the REDCHiP or attention control intervention. Families will complete 3 assessment visits that coincide with study entry, end of treatment, and 3-month posttreatment. At each assessment visit, we will collect questionnaire data from caregivers, accelerometry data from caregivers and children, CGM data from children, and a blood sample to measure glycated hemoglobin levels from children.

Results

Recruitment began in July 2019, and enrollment is ongoing. The first wave of intervention delivery began in December 2019. We anticipate completing enrollment in 2023. Final reporting of results will occur within 12 months of the primary completion date.

Conclusions

If the REDCHiP intervention is efficacious, next steps will be to examine multiple implementation strategies to determine how best to disseminate the intervention to pediatric diabetes clinics around the world.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03914547; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03914547

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/17877

Associations Between Objective Sleep Behaviors and Blood Glucose Variability in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Young children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at risk for extreme blood glucose variability, a risk factor for suboptimal glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and long-term health complications. We know that a reciprocal relationship exists between sleep and glycemic outcomes in older youth with T1D; however, little research has examined objective sleep in young children (<7 years) with T1D.

PURPOSE

This study examines bidirectional associations between sleep behaviors and glycemic variability in young children with T1D.

METHODS

Thirty-nine young children with T1D (Mage 4.33 ± 1.46 years; MHbA1c 8.10 ± 1.06%) provided accelerometry data to objectively measure sleep onset latency, number of nighttime awakenings, and total sleep time. We also assessed HbA1c, average blood glucose, and glycemic variability (i.e., standard deviation of blood glucose from device downloads). We evaluated bidirectional relationships using multilevel modeling in SAS, with weekday/weekend as a Level 2 moderator.

RESULTS

Children averaged 8.5 ± 1.44 hr of sleep per night, but only 12.8% met current sleep recommendations. Children experienced more nighttime awakenings, higher blood glucose, and more glycemic variability on weekends. Sleep onset latency and nighttime awakenings predicted greater glycemic variability on weekends, and weekend glycemic variability predicted increased nighttime awakenings.

CONCLUSIONS

Most young children with T1D did not meet sleep recommendations. Young children experienced more nighttime awakenings, higher blood glucose, and increased glycemic variability on weekends only, when routines may be less predictable. Findings suggest that one way families of young children with T1D may be able to decrease glycemic variability is to keep consistent routines on weekdays and weekends.