Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2673

Aim: This study aims to evaluate parental perception on immunotherapy to delay onset of diabetes for siblings at risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D), as well as examine parents’ viewpoints on islet cell transplantation and stem cell therapy for children with established T1D. Understanding these viewpoints is essential for integrating novel treatments into clinical practice locally.

Method: A survey was administered to parents of children diagnosed with T1D at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital from October to December 2024. 9 questions assessing their awareness of these treatments, willingness to consent for their use, as well as concerns regarding long term safety were included.

Results: 34 parents were surveyed in the study period. The mean age of their children (53% male) was 11. 7 and mean diagnosis duration was 5. 3 years. 70. 6% were on multiple daily injections while the rest were on insulin pump therapy. 73. 5% showed readiness for autoantibody screening for siblings, despite awareness on potential impact on insurance coverage. 47% of the parents were aware of immunotherapy for predisposed siblings, with 59% expressing readiness to consent to administration for their child if they were found to be at risk. Reasons for not considering immunotherapy included concern on side effects (71. 4%), unknown long-term side effects (71. 4%), inadequate knowledge about the therapy (35. 7%), doubts about its effectiveness (35. 7%), logistical issues related to time and transportation (21. 4%), and concern on required treatment duration of 14 days (21. 4%). Regarding novel methods of beta cell replacement, 55. 9% and 64. 7% of the respondents were aware of islet transplantation and stem cell therapy respectively. 67. 6% of the parents accepted these treatments for their child with diabetes. Reasons for not considering these therapies included safety concerns (60%), doubts about the effectiveness (60%), inadequate knowledge about these options (50%) and a preference for lifelong insulin injections over immunosuppressant (40%).

Conclusion: Our findings showed that local parents had a moderate awareness on novel therapies for diabetes. While majority accepted these treatments, safety and efficacy profile were most concerning for them. These findings highlighted the importance of integrating parental perspectives into the development of treatment protocols for T1D. Future research should focus on creating targeted educational initiatives that empower parents in navigating innovative treatment options for their children.