Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2504

Introduction: The transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care is a critical phase for youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), as it significantly impacts long-term health outcomes. The main aim of this study was to implement a structured transition process for adolescents with T1D to adult diabetes care.

Methods: Adolescents up to 18 years of age were enrolled in a transition program designed to facilitate their referral from pediatric to adult healthcare service. Patients under the care of the diabetes outpatient clinic in Greater Poland were referred to the Department of Pediatric Diabetes for final hospitalization before adulthood. The hospitalization included collection of data from therapy-supporting devices, laboratory tests, and assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) using the validated KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire and diabetes distress (DD) using the age-specific Problems Areas in Diabetes questionnaire (PAID). The stay at the hospital was concluded with the issuance of a Diabetes Care Information Card, a referral, and the scheduling of the first visit to the adult diabetes clinic.

Results: The study cohort comprised 68 patients (37 boys) with a mean T1D duration of 8 years. Most patients were treated with CSII (n = 47), and all used CGM for blood glucose monitoring. The mean TIR and HbA1c were 60% and 7, 3%, respectively. Participants exhibited significantly lower scores on the physical well-being dimension in comparison to scores on the remaining four dimensions in the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire. Girls reported notably lower scores on all dimensions of HRQoL than boys. T1D duration <5 years was associated with the worst scores on physical and psychological well-being dimensions while scoring on autonomy and parental relation dimension was the lowest among those with T1D duration between 5 to 10 years. Almost 12% (n = 8) of youth reported high levels of DD measured via PAID; it mainly concerned girls (62%, n = 5). A slight increase in DD levels was noticed, along with a decrease in TIR values. Around 14% of adolescents with TIR<70% had a mean score above 40, suggesting high emotional distress regarding the disease. Eight youths from the uncontrol group had a mean score of less than 10, which may suggest denial. The mean PAID score was comparable between both sexes.

Conclusion: Youth with T1D have insufficient metabolic control of the disease. HRQoL is decreased, mainly in the physical well-being dimension. DD is quite a common issue, especially among those with higher TIR values.