Quality of Life and Glycemic Control in Saudi Children with Type 1 Diabetes at Different Developmental Age Groups

Abstract

Background: Children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at different stages of development have age-specific needs, which can influence their perception of quality of life (QoL). In our study, we aimed to emphasize these age-specific needs and assess the perception of QoL in Saudi children with T1D, as well as their parents correlating QoL scores with children’s glycemic control. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which children with T1D and their parents from 2 tertiary institutes in Saudi Arabia have answered a standard diabetes-specific QoL questionnaire (PedsQL™ 3.0 diabetes module, translated in Arabic). We also reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) results for these children within a month of completing the questionnaire. The QoL total aggregate and domain scores for self (children) and proxy (parents’) reports were compared and correlated with children’s HbA1c. Results: A sample was 288 self and proxy reports from 144 children with T1D of 3 age groups: 5 to 7 years (7%), 8 to 12 years (49%), and 13 to 18 years (44%), and their parents. QoL differed significantly between self and proxy reports in the total aggregate and domain scores ( P-values range from .02 to <.001). The impact on QoL was significantly higher in female patients ( P = .043). Insulin pump users had better HbA1c ( P = .007), and HbA1c level was worse in those who intended to fast at Ramadan ( P = .005). Conclusion: Children with T1D at different developmental age groups perceive QoL differently than their parents. Adjusting management as per age-specific challenges could potentially improve these children’s QoL and glycemic control.

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

“…An analysis from the SEARCH for Diabetes in youth investigating discrepancies in parent-proxy and youth reported quality of life also showed that quality of life perceptions between caregivers and youth differ significantly ( 25 ). This is in line with a more recent study showing significantly different quality of life between children and parents ( 26 ). Johnson et al.…”

“…An analysis from the SEARCH for Diabetes in youth investigating discrepancies in parent-proxy and youth reported quality of life also showed that quality of life perceptions between caregivers and youth differ significantly (25). This is in line with a more recent study showing significantly different quality of life between children and parents (26). Johnson et al found in their cross-sectional study with 325 children and their parents, that children and parents with the greatest FOH reported a significantly reduced quality of life (9).…”

Assessment of Diabetes-Specific Routine for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

“…There was negative correlation between diabetic-specific routine for adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their insulin doses daily (r=-0.351; p=0.000). this results are agreeing with study (20) which revealed that 288 proxy and self-reports were collected from 144 children with T1D in three age groups: (49%) from 8 to 12 years, (7%) from 5 to 7 years, and (44%) from 13 to 18 and their parents. In the whole comprehensive and domain scores, there was a major difference in QOLbetween proxy reports and self.…”

“…SPSS version (20) and Microsoft Excel (2010) programs to statistically analyze the data collected from the study sample, find the relationships between the variables and obtain the research's final results based on a set of statistical tests.…”

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

“…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].…”