Evaluation of Management Outcome of Adolescent Type-1 Diabetes Patients in Selected Clinics in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM), is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels resulting from defects in inulin absorption over a prolonged period. This research was carried out to evaluate the management outcome in Type-1 diabetes adolescents in Calabar, Nigeria. Nineteen (19) diabetic adolescent patients attending selected clinics in Calabar and another 19 age-and-sex matched healthy adolescents were recruited for this research. Glycaemic control was assessed using fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and Glycated haemoglobin concentration (HbAic%). Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI) in adolescent Diabetes mellitus (DM) and control groups were also measured. Blood pressure in diabetic and control subjects were equally measured. Mean age of diabetic male and female were not statistically significant compared with male and female control groups. Average age of onset of illness in diabetic males and females were also not significant, and the same result was observed in duration of illness. Findings revealed that baseline fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbAIC%) values of the diabetic adolescents were significantly (P<0.001) higher than values in control group. There was a significant (P<0.01) decrees in anthropometric parameters of diabetics compared with controls. Significant negative correlation was observed between father’s educational status and FBG (r= -0.546*) and negative correlation in glycated haemoglobin (HbAIC %) (r= -0.464*) levels in diabetic group. Glycated haemoglobin appeared to be a very dependable marker for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in adolescents. Adolescent female diabetics have better management outcome compared to males. Combined therapy and insulin therapy resulted in improved glycaemic control and general wellbeing.