Long-Term HbA1c, Physical Fitness, Nerve Conduction Velocities, and Quality of Life in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine a possible association of HbA1c, quality of life (QoL), fitness, and electrophysiological parameters in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: The study population (n = 34) consisted of patients with T1DM (n = 17) and an age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy control group (n = 17). HbA1c was obtained from patients with T1DM at time of diagnosis (T0), at 6 months (T6), at 12 months (T12), and at time of study inclusion (Tstudy). QoL was determined with a standardized questionnaire (KINDL-R). All children completed a 6-min walk test (6MWT) to evaluate their fitness level. Electrodiagnostic studies established upper and lower limb motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (NCV). Results: Higher HbA1c (Tstudy) was associated with lower QoL showing in the subscales self-esteem, friends, and school. Higher HbA1c at (T6) and (T12) was associated with lower QoL in the subscale self-esteem. Based on various subscales, perceived problem areas differed significantly between children and their parents. No differences in fitness level and NCV were found between patients and controls except for a significantly slower median motor NCV in patients. HbA1c was not associated with NCVs at this early stage of disease. Conclusions: Good metabolic control reflected by adequate HbA1c values seems to be important for a good QoL in children with T1DM. Early HbA1c might be associated with QoL during follow-up.

Subclinical Neuropathy in Children With Type I Diabetes Mellitus: Tertiary Care Centre Experience

“…In our electrophysiological studies, motor nerves showed early involvement in peroneal and posterior tibial nerves with no sensory nerve abnormalities detected. The most observed abnormalities in our study were peroneal nerve and posterior tibial nerve CV and DL, which is similar to findings in other studies [ 1 , 21 , 22 ]. Schiller et al conducted a study on 34 patients, including 17 patients diagnosed with DM type 1 and 17 normal controls [ 22 ].…”

“…The most observed abnormalities in our study were peroneal nerve and posterior tibial nerve CV and DL, which is similar to findings in other studies [ 1 , 21 , 22 ]. Schiller et al conducted a study on 34 patients, including 17 patients diagnosed with DM type 1 and 17 normal controls [ 22 ]. The only NCS abnormality found was the slowing of MCV of the median nerve.…”

Influence of the personalities and adherence to therapy on the metabolic control type 1 diabetes in adolescents

“…Анализ качества жизни (КЖ) пациентов является важной для клинициста задачей для получения более полной картины компенсации заболевания. Большинство исследований демонстрирует прямую корреляцию между уровнем Hb A1c и КЖ: хороший метаболический контроль связан с улучшением КЖ, однако есть данные и об обратной корреляционной связи [5,6]. В некоторых исследова-ниях оценки КЖ родителей и детей значительно различались.…”

“…При изучении КЖ у детей дошкольного возраста были получены результаты, свидетельствующие о том, что представления родителей о КЖ ребенка в целом и оценки влияния заболевания на КЖ были ниже, по сравнению с оценками самих детей с СД1, при этом дети приводили более низкие оценки своего эмоционального благополучия. Эти различия подчеркивают важность исследований, направленных на субъективную оценку факторов, связанных с болезнью, как самими пациентами, так и их родителями [5][6][7][8].…”