Caregiver reports of provider recommended frequency of blood glucose monitoring and actual testing frequency for youth with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aims To identify demographic, family and clinical characteristics associated with provider recommended frequency of blood glucose monitoring (BGM), actual frequency of BGM, and concordance between these categories in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as reported by child‘s caregiver. Methods Caregivers of 390 children 10-17 years were interviewed about their children's providers’ recommendations for frequency of BGM and their child's frequency of performance of BGM. Results The majority (92%) of caregivers reported being told that their child should BGM ≥4 times per day and 78% reported their child checked that frequently. Caregivers of children who were younger, non-Hispanic White, from two-parent households, higher income households, and on insulin pumps were more likely to report being told by their provider to perform BGM ≥6 times per day and more likely to report that their child performed BGM ≥6 times per day. Younger children and those with private health insurance were more likely to adhere to reported recommendations. Children whose caregivers reported that their child met/exceeded their provider recommendations had lower A1c values than those who did not. Conclusions These findings may help clinicians identify subgroups of youth at-risk for poor diabetes management and provide further education in order to improve outcomes.