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Endocrine Abstracts (2022) 81 P341 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.P341

1University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine, Rıga, Latvia; 2University of Latvia, Faculty of Humanities, Riga, Latvia; 3Riga Stradins University, Faculty of Medicine, Riga, Latvia; 4Longenesis Ltd, Riga, Latvia; 5Boston University, Questrom Business School, Boston, United States; 6Boston University, Digital Business Institute, Health Analytics and Digital Health, Boston, United States; 7Holon Institute of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Technology Management, Holon, Israel; 8Holon Institute of Technology, Faculty of Digital Technologies in Medicine, Holon, Israel; 9University of Latvia, Faculty of Computing, Riga, Latvia


Background: Insulin pump therapy is an alternative to multiple daily injections and can improve glycemic control and quality of life (QoL) in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the differences and factors related to the T1DM-specific QoL of T1DM patients in Latvia.

Methods: 87 adult patients with T1DM were included. Of them, 20 were pump users and 67 were users of injections. All recruited patients participated in the quantitative part of the study; 8 pump users and 13 injection users participated in the qualitative part. Patients were invited to participate using a dedicated digital platform. Specially developed questionnaires adapted to Latvian conditions were used for assessment of QoL and self-management habits. Association between social and self-management factors and patients’ QoL was investigated using multiple logistic regression models. Qualitative analysis of answers was performed according to major theme of transcripts.

Results: Compared to injection users, insulin pump users were younger (median age pump users 20.0 (18.2 – 22.0) years, injection users 31.0 (25.0 – 40.0) years, P<0.01) and reported higher T1DM expenses. There were no differences in self-management and HbA1c level between the groups; Total QoL differed at the 0.1 significance level. In fully adjusted multiple logistic regression models, the most important factor that increased Total QoL was lower T1DM-related expenses (odds ratio, Or=7.02 [95% confidence interval 1.29; 38.0]). Men and those with more years of living with T1DM had better QoL (Or=9.62 [2.20; 42.1] and Or=1.16 [1.05; 1.29], respectively), but the method of administration was not significantly associated with QoL (Or=7.38 [0.87; 62.9]). Qualitative data supported the results of quantitative analysis.

Conclsions: QoL was the main reason to use an insulin pump, while the expenses were the main reason to avoid the use of it or to stop using it. Reimbursement policies thus should be considered to enable patients to choose the more convenient method for themselves.

Acknowledgements: Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Riga, Latvia, Latvian Association of Endocrinology, and Latvian organizations of patients with diabetes.

Volume 81

European Congress of Endocrinology 2022

Milan, Italy
21 May 2022 - 24 May 2022

European Society of Endocrinology 

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