Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1803

Introduction: The therapeutic education of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in children and adolescents is an ongoing process and an integral part of its successful management. Therapeutic education programs, taking into account the unique characteristics and developmental needs of each child/adolescent, aim to empower and promote autonomy, enabling them to effectively take over self – management of their disease which contributes to improving their quality of life and preventing complications.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of therapeutic education in children and adolescents with T1DM on self- management of their disease.

Method: International bibliography was reviewed using electronic database such as PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scopus. Keywords such as “Therapeutic education”, “Type 1 diabetes mellitus”, “children”, “adolescents, “self-management”, “glycemic control”, “educational programs” in combination with Boolean operators (AND, OR) were used in English language to search for studies conducted during 2014 - 2024.

Results: A total of 23 studies were reviewed and evaluated based on predefined quality and relevance criteria. 19 of these studies demonstrated an improvement in the glycemic control of children and adolescents with T1DM, although 9 of them did not show a statistically significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Additionally, 6 studies showed better adherence to treatment after attending a therapeutic educational program, with 2 of them emphasizing an increase in diabetes-related knowledge. Specifically, combined educational approaches incorporating psychoeducational interventions appeared to improve T1DM self-management. Moreover, 10 studies reported that using digital tools such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can also strengthen the adherence to treatment. Benefits on quality of life were recorded in 8 studies, but in 4 of them, these benefits were not maintained on the long term. Furthermore, according to 4 studies, parental participation in therapeutic programs improved family relationships and children’s confidence in managing the disease. Finally, 5 studies highlighted the contribution of specialized diabetes interdisciplinary team, integral members of which are nurses, in the overall improvement of T1DM management.

Conclusion: Therapeutic education is a key factor in the effective management of T1DM in children and adolescents. Its impact is further enhanced through personalized support, family involvement, and the integration of new technologies. Specialized diabetes nurses play a crucial role as primary health providers of education and support for children and their families. Further studies are needed to delve into therapeutic education in children and adolescents as a cornerstone of monitoring their glycemic control.