1025-P: Racial Disparities in Diabetes Distress and Technology Use in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: Racial and ethnic minority (REM) youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are less likely to use diabetes technology and are at higher risk for adverse short-term outcomes. Diabetes distress (DD) , associated with less engagement with management and elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) , may be an additional mediator of this disparity. However, no studies have specifically evaluated DD in REM youth. This study aims to evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in DD and diabetes technology use in adolescents with T1D. Method: We recruited adolescents with T1D (age 13-17) and their parent to complete an online survey. Adolescents were categorized by self-report into Non-Hispanic White (NHW) or REM groups. Result: Of 45 adolescent surveys completed, 62% identified as NHW and 38% as REM. REM adolescents were less likely to use both a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump (p=0.001) and had higher HbA1c (p<0.001) . There was a similarly high prevalence of DD (84%) in both groups of adolescents. Parents had a much lower rate of DD (14%, p<0.001) , similar in both racial/ethnic groups. Conclusion: We found disparities in technology use and HbA1c between NHW and REM adolescents. However, the similarly high rate of clinically significant DD confirms the need to address DD to decrease the burden of diabetes and improve outcomes in all racial/ethnic groups. Disclosure A.Wilcox: None. S.Mencher: None. L.M.Nally: Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. S.A.Weinzimer: Consultant; Dompé, Research Support; Abbott Diabetes, Speaker's Bureau; Abbott Diabetes, Dexcom, Inc.