As part of a prospective, randomized study, the psychological effects of two different treatment regimens on the diagnosis of children and adolescents aged 3-15 years with insulin-dependent diabetes insipidus were evaluated. Conventional treatment was compared to a new regimen with a crisis programme which included a milieu therapeutic setting. A total of 38 families were randomly assigned to the 2 groups and followed over a period of 2 years after initial treatment. Parents' experiences of family climate and function over this period were registered and a test battery for the children was administered on five separate occasions. No decisive difference between the two groups was found. Few significant differences were found. Further investigation of the effects of the new treatment regimen on selected groups of families with defined extra needs is suggested.

Forsander GA, Sundelin J, Persson B. In uence of the initial management regimen and family social situation on glycemic control and medical care in children with type I diabetes mellitus.It is well known that social family factors are of importance in diabetes care, but it is not clear whether the initial management regimen can buffer these factors. In a prospective, randomized intervention study, 36 children with diabetes mellitus (type I) were followed, the aim being to study if a family psychosocial intervention at diagnosis could improve glycemic control and minimize hospital admissions. The control group was treated initially in a hospital ward, while the study group received problem-based learning and family-therapeutic and social support in an outhospital training apartment. A number of family social variables were evaluated at the time of diagnosis and 6, 12 and 24 mo later. Family function was assessed using the self-estimated Family Climate Test at these same time-points. HbA1c values and information concerning in-and outhospital visits to the pediatric clinic were collected for the 5-y period following diagnosis. We found no association between the offered management regimen and glycemic control or rate of readmission. In the study group only, both parents reported a signi cant improvement of the family climate. An increased risk for poor glycemic control was recorded in children living in oneparent families (p = 0.03) or in families where the father had a low level of education (p = 0.04). Younger age (p = 0.05), a single-parent family (p = 0.05) and poor glycemic control (p = 0.02) were associated with more days of rehospitalization. The rate of divorce in the whole group was at least as high as in the normal population but, surprisingly, maternal dysfunction was associated with lower HbA1c value.The conclusion is that even with an initial management regimen designed to offer a family-individual care regimen based on accurate estimation of the psychological and pedagogical needs, the social family background is a most important factor for the glycemic control and need for readmission.

It is well known that social family factors are of importance in diabetes care, but it is not clear whether the initial management regimen can buffer these factors. In a prospective, randomized intervention study, 36 children with diabetes mellitus (type I) were followed, the aim being to study if a family psychosocial intervention at diagnosis could improve glycemic control and minimize hospital admissions. The control group was treated initially in a hospital ward, while the study group received problem-based learning and family-therapeutic and social support in an out-hospital training apartment. A number of family social variables were evaluated at the time of diagnosis and 6, 12 and 24 mo later. Family function was assessed using the self-estimated Family Climate Test at these same time-points. HbAlc values and information concerning in- and out-hospital visits to the pediatric clinic were collected for the 5-y period following diagnosis. We found no association between the offered management regimen and glycemic control or rate of readmission. In the study group only, both parents reported a significant improvement of the family climate. An increased risk for poor glycemic control was recorded in children living in one-parent families (p = 0.03) or in families where the father had a low level of education (p = 0.04). Younger age (p = 0.05), a single-parent family (p = 0.05) and poor glycemic control (p = 0.02) were associated with more days of rehospitalization. The rate of divorce in the whole group was at least as high as in the normal population but, surprisingly, maternal dysfunction was associated with lower HbAlc value. The conclusion is that even with an initial management regimen designed to offer a family-individual care regimen based on accurate estimation of the psychological and pedagogical needs, the social family background is a most important factor for the glycemic control and need for readmission.

Children (n = 38) aged 3-15 y were randomly chosen, at the time of diabetes diagnosis, for conventional management at a hospital ward, or for treatment partly in a training apartment where the family was offered problem-based education and special therapeutic support. HbA1c, blood glucose stability, urinary C-peptide excretions and incidence of hypoglycaemic attacks and diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) were monitored and some standardized, self-estimated psychological tests were performed during the first 2 y after diagnosis. During the 3 y thereafter, HbA1c, presence of DKA, microalbuminuria, retinopathy and hypertension were monitored. None of the patients demonstrated signs of diabetes microangiopathy or DKA. The overall mean HbA1c level was 7.2% 5 y after diagnosis and 30% of the children had HbA1c values <6.3%. There were no differences in the HbA1c values for the patients treated by the different management regimens. Blood glucose variability (SD) was also similar, with 75% of the values in the range of 3-10 mmol/l. Patients with poor glycaemic control (mean HbA1c >8.3%) year 5 after diagnosis had already the second year after diagnosis significantly higher HbA1c values and blood glucose variability. The fathers of these patients demonstrated a higher degree of maladjustment. On the basis of increasing HbA1c values, high blood glucose variability and psychosocial risk factors such as their fathers' emotional responses, patients at risk for poor metabolic control in the future can be identified within 2 y after diagnosis. Efforts and resources can thus be focused at an early stage on this group.

Forsander G, Persson B, Sundelin J, Berglund E, Snellman K, Hellström R. Metabolic control in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 5 y after diagnosis. Early detection of patients at risk for poor metabolic control. Acta Paediatr 1998; 87: 857-64. Stockholm. ISSN 0803-5253 Children (n ¼ 38) aged 3-15 y were randomly chosen, at the time of diabetes diagnosis, for conventional management at a hospital ward, or for treatment partly in a training apartment where the family was offered problem-based education and special therapeutic support. HbA1c, blood glucose stability, urinary C-peptide excretions and incidence of hypoglycaemic attacks and diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) were monitored and some standardized, self-estimated psychological tests were performed during the first 2 y after diagnosis. During the 3 y thereafter, HbA1c, presence of DKA, microalbuminuria, retinopathy and hypertension were monitored. None of the patients demonstrated signs of diabetes microangiopathy or DKA. The overall mean HbA1c level was 7.2% 5 y after diagnosis and 30% of the children had HbA1c values Ͻ6.3%. There were no differences in the HbA1c values for the patients treated by the different management regimens. Blood glucose variability (SD) was also similar, with 75% of the values in the range of 3-10 mmol/l. Patients with poor glycaemic control (mean HbA1c Ͼ8.3%) year 5 after diagnosis had already the second year after diagnosis significantly higher HbA1c values and blood glucose variability. The fathers of these patients demonstrated a higher degree of maladjustment. On the basis of increasing HbA1c values, high blood glucose variability and psychosocial risk factors such as their fathers' emotional responses, patients at risk for poor metabolic control in the future can be identified within 2 y after diagnosis. Efforts and resources can thus be focused at an early stage on this group. ٖ Early risk detection, family support, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, problem-based education, paternal maladjustment G Forsander, Barnmed klin, Falu lasarett, S 791 82 Falun, Sweden