Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: February | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 1-9
Quality of Life of Type 1 Diabetic Indian Children and Adolescents - Cross Sectional Study
Niraj Kumar1, Yashpal Singh2, Shreya Singh3, Vandana Rana4
1Jr. Resident, 2Professor, 4Associate Professor,
Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, Command Hospital Western Command, Chandimandir, Panchkula. Haryana (India)
3Student Ashoka University, Distt. Sonipat
Corresponding Author: Yashpal Singh
ABSTRACT
Background and objectives: Quality of life in Individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) especially children and adolescents is affected by multiple factors. Aims and Objectives: To ascertain the factors influencing quality of life in Indian children and adolescents with Type1 Diabetes.
Materials and Methods: Forty-six children and young people with T1DM, aged 6−18 years were assessed using Down Quality of Life for young, WHO-5 well-being index, Diabetes treatment satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ), Diabetes specific Quality of Life scale, strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ).
Results: Four of study participants were found to be 16.6±0.6 years, 70% of the study participants belonged to age group of 10-19 years. Mean age at onset of diabetes was 9.9±2.8 years. 83% of patients belonged to upper middle income group and none of the participant belonged to lower socio economic status. Good education levels found in our study participants (65.2% of the patients had studied till high school) and their parents (52% had studied till graduation level). Vitamin D deficiency and Hypothyroidism was reported by 4% of the total patients. It was found that 17% of the study participants were obese. 8% were anaemic and 21% had Vitamin D deficiency. Mean (SE) SDQ Parent Proxy scores were 17.75 (0.8) for total difficulties, 4.97 (0.3) for emotional symptoms, 4.04 (0.3) for conduct problems, 4.84 (0.3) for hyperactivity-inattention symptoms, 3.65 (0.3) for peer relationship problems and 5.96 (0.4) for prosocial behaviours. WHO-5 well-being index indicated presence of Poor well-being (raw score <13) in 17% of patients. Low mood was found in 26 % of the subjects. The mean score of the DTSQ was 32.5±13.8 All the patients reported satisfaction with treatment. Hyperglycemia was perceived by 48% of the participants most of the times. Similarly Perceived frequency of hypoglycaemia was reported to be 30.4%. Interpretation of the score. The mean DAWN QoL score was 35. Almost 50% of patients reported adverse impact on the overall quality of life, as well as individual sub-domains of the scale.
Conclusion: Children with recent diagnosis, older age at onset, elevated HbA1c, were identified to have higher prevalence of various psychological and cognitive problems. Hence children and adolescents should be prioritized for behavioral and cognitive evaluation.
Key words: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Children, Adolescents, Quality of life,