Abstract
BackgroundThe objective of the study was to describe the baseline health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and analyze its associated clinical and sociodemographic factors, assessing HRQOL through internet.MethodsThis was a descriptive study of 136 patients with T1DM from 5 hospitals in Catalonia, Spain (72 girls, mean age 13.4 years (range 8–19). Inclusion criteria were more than 6 months from diagnosis, more than 8 years old and without cognitive problems. Sociodemographic (age, sex, family level of education, type of family and origin) and clinical variables (type of insulin therapy, duration of disease, adherence to treatment, body mass index and HbA1c) were collected. HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-Y) and KIDSCREEN, collected via web. Mental health status was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were adjusted.ResultsPhysical-well-being mean scores were lower (worse) than the European average (<50) and especially in girls, older children (>11 years old), those from single-parent families, and those with low adherence. Older children and patients with poor metabolic control (HbA1c >7,5% [58 mmol/mol]) showed worse scores in the KIDSCREEN-10 index. Similar results were observed with the EQ-5D-Y. Multivariate models showed that age, single-parent families, adherence and mental health were the most influential factors.ConclusionsDiabetic patients report similar HRQOL than the population of the same age with slightly worse physical well-being. The study shows some factors to be taken into account to improve HRQOL, and also the feasibility of using web to collect information in clinical practice.
Highlights
The objective of the study was to describe the baseline health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and analyze its associated clinical and sociodemographic factors, assessing HRQOL through internet
Previous studies have shown that girls, older children, and specific sociodemographic factors such as singleparenthood, lower family income or minority status would be associated with poor metabolic control and worse HRQOL [2]
Study variables Sociodemographic variables were collected from parents, clinical variables came from clinical records, and HRQOL, mental health and adherence to treatment came from the self-administered online questionnaire
Summary
The objective of the study was to describe the baseline health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and analyze its associated clinical and sociodemographic factors, assessing HRQOL through internet. Assessment of HRQOL in clinical practice is important in order to evaluate the course of the disease, early detection of problems, and to determine what type of insulin therapy would be adequate to maintain acceptable metabolic control with less impact on HRQOL in each patient [2, 4]. A systematic review assessed HRQOL in children with T1DM [6] and its potential help in clinical management. The results of this review show that overall diabetic children have similar HRQOL compared to healthy peers but reported disease specific problems. Studies included in this review were mainly descriptive and no studies were included comparing with general population data
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