ESPE Abstracts

The objective of the study was to evaluate the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) of children from 8-12 y/o with T1DM, to compare PedsQL perceived by their parents, to understand gender and other factors influence on PedsQL and disease management.

We conducted a prospective non-randomized cross-sectional study. Children with T1DM were identified from pediatric endocrinology department registries. The onset of diabetes had to be more than 6 months. All consecutive patients from Armenia aged 8-12 years old with type 1 diabetes were included in the study. For the study, we used the validated adapted PedsQL Inventory 3.0 Diabetes Module of the child. Clinical variables analyzed were: time since diagnoses (in years), BMI, HbA1c, diet and exercising habits, frequency of hypoglycemia, comorbidity, insulin injected by child or parent.

Results: A total of 132 children aged 8-12 years with T1DM and their primary caregivers (n = 132, 100% mothers) participated in this study including 60 (45.45%) girls (6.6 (± 2.75) y/o) and 72 (54.55%) boys (7 (±1.54) y/o) (P=0.318). Parents were either uneducated 84 (63.64%) or had a secondary school education 48 (36.36%). The reported frequency of hypoglycemia occurred in 72 (54.55%) children. In most of the cases, insulin was injected by child 84 (63.64%). The mean age of T1DM years was 6.82 (± 2.17). HbA1C mean level was 8.42 (±1.5). We found that HbA1c control can be influenced by parent/guardian and child through appropriate disease management which in turn can increase QOL. We identified lower scores of QOL reported by child versus primary caregivers. In group children girls seem to be more sensitive towards pain and difficulties associated with the disease, boys experience more difficulties related to treatment compliance and parents' involvement. Parents' education plays a significant role in the management of a child's disease and QOL.