Psychosocial aspects of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in children with type 1 diabetes in Egypt; a limited resources country perspective

BACKGROUND

Novel innovations continue to emerge in type-1 diabetes (T1D) management aiming to improve glycemic control. Assessing the psychosocial outcomes of different treatment modalities is specifically crucial among children with T1D and differs from one population to another.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the health related quality of life (HRQoL) and confidence in diabetes self-management (CIDS) among children with T1D on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) versus multiple daily injections (MDI) and to correlate them with the efficacy of glycemic control, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents(MINI-KID) depression module and socioeconomic-standard scale.

METHODS

This real life study (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04756011) included 60 children with T1D (30 on CSII and 30 on MDI), aged 6-18 years. Disease duration, insulin therapy, average self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and HbA1C were assessed. CIDS, socioeconomic-standard, MINI-KID depression and HRQoL scales were applied.

RESULTS

Children with T1D on CSII have significantly higher HRQoL and CIDS than those on MDI (P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation is found between HRQoL and insulin daily dose(P = 0.022), HbA1C(P < 0.001), average SMBG(P < 0.001) and MINI-KID depression scale(P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation is found between HRQoL and CIDS(P < 0.001) and health care, home sanitation, family possessions and occupation socioeconomic scores(P = 0.033, P = 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HRQoL is most associated with MINI-KID depression scale (P = 0.004) and annual total cost(P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Children with T1D on CSII have significantly better HRQoL, CIDS and HbA1C with less depression than those on MDI.

Current status of diabetes management, glycemic control and complications in children and adolescents with diabetes in Egypt. Where do we stand now? And where do we go from here?

THE AIM

of this study was to use the Diabetes Registry of the Pediatric Diabetes Clinic, Ain Shams University Hospital to examine risk factors related to poor glycemic control and to provide data to health professionals for planning, evaluation and optimizing diabetes care.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data from 600 children and adolescents with diabetes with information in the registry provide information on current clinical status, metabolic control, acute and long-term complications, presence of concomitant autoimmune diseases, and psychiatric aspects of patients.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 13.3±5.1 years, mean duration of diabetes was 6.4±3.6 years, mean HbA1c was 8.8±4.6% [73±27 mmol/mol], and 71% had poor glycemic control. Acute complications included ketoacidosis in 19.7% and severe hypoglycemia in 2.8%. Chronic complications including peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and persistent microalbuminuria were present in 6.3%, 1.8%, and 6.8%, respectively. The majority (97.2%) were on intensive insulin therapy. Patients with poor glycemic control had higher disease duration, DKA frequency and diabetic microvascular complications. However, regular education lecture attendance and regular SMBG were associated with better glycemic control.

CONCLUSIONS

These registry data indicate that although the majority of the patients were on intensive insulin therapy, poor glycemic control was common and diabetic microvascular complications were observed. These findings will provide potential avenues to improve quality of care and could be the first step in the development of a national registry for diabetes in Egypt.