TY - JOUR
T1 - A cross-sectional study of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial functioning among 18- to 35-year-old adults with type 1 diabetes
AU - Zoffmann, V
AU - Vistisen, D
AU - Due-Christensen, M
N1 - © 2013 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2013 Diabetes UK.
PY - 2014/4
Y1 - 2014/4
N2 - AIMS: To describe the level of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial functioning and the relationships between these variables in the under-researched group of younger adults with type 1 diabetes.METHODS: Local electronic health records provided data on age, gender, disease duration, HbA1c and complications for 710 younger adults (18-35 years) with type 1 diabetes. A questionnaire with wide-ranging psychometric scales was used to measure various aspects of psychosocial functioning: the burden of diabetes-related problems, well-being, self-esteem, perceived competence in managing diabetes, perceived autonomy support from health professionals and self-management motivations. Furthermore, patients reported weekly self-monitored blood glucose measurements and insulin administration. Associations between HbA1c , complication and psychosocial indicators were tested using linear and logistic regression models, adjusted stepwise for confounders, including age, gender, diabetes duration, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, smoking and BMI.RESULTS: In total, 406 (57%) participants responded. The responders had a mean age of 27.1 (5.1) years, a mean diabetes duration of 13.5 (7.9) years and an HbA1c of 66 mmol/mol (8.2%), with similar values for both genders (P = 0.87). Complications were observed among women more commonly than among men (31.6 vs. 18.8%, P < 0.01), and high distress levels were more prevalent among women compared with men (51.2 vs. 31.9%, P < 0.0001). Except for perceived autonomy support, the psychosocial variables were all associated with HbA1c (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of poor glycaemic control, early complications and psychosocial distress require health-promoting interventions tailored to the interrelated clinical and psychosocial needs of younger adults with type 1 diabetes.
AB - AIMS: To describe the level of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial functioning and the relationships between these variables in the under-researched group of younger adults with type 1 diabetes.METHODS: Local electronic health records provided data on age, gender, disease duration, HbA1c and complications for 710 younger adults (18-35 years) with type 1 diabetes. A questionnaire with wide-ranging psychometric scales was used to measure various aspects of psychosocial functioning: the burden of diabetes-related problems, well-being, self-esteem, perceived competence in managing diabetes, perceived autonomy support from health professionals and self-management motivations. Furthermore, patients reported weekly self-monitored blood glucose measurements and insulin administration. Associations between HbA1c , complication and psychosocial indicators were tested using linear and logistic regression models, adjusted stepwise for confounders, including age, gender, diabetes duration, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, smoking and BMI.RESULTS: In total, 406 (57%) participants responded. The responders had a mean age of 27.1 (5.1) years, a mean diabetes duration of 13.5 (7.9) years and an HbA1c of 66 mmol/mol (8.2%), with similar values for both genders (P = 0.87). Complications were observed among women more commonly than among men (31.6 vs. 18.8%, P < 0.01), and high distress levels were more prevalent among women compared with men (51.2 vs. 31.9%, P < 0.0001). Except for perceived autonomy support, the psychosocial variables were all associated with HbA1c (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of poor glycaemic control, early complications and psychosocial distress require health-promoting interventions tailored to the interrelated clinical and psychosocial needs of younger adults with type 1 diabetes.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Cross-Sectional Studies
KW - Diabetes Complications
KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
KW - Female
KW - Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
KW - Humans
KW - Linear Models
KW - Logistic Models
KW - Male
KW - Self Concept
KW - Self Efficacy
KW - Sex Factors
KW - Stress, Psychological
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Young Adult
U2 - 10.1111/dme.12363
DO - 10.1111/dme.12363
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24236961
SN - 1464-5491
VL - 31
SP - 493
EP - 499
JO - Diabetic Medicine Online
JF - Diabetic Medicine Online
IS - 4
ER -