Quality of Life and Glycemic Control in Saudi Children with Type 1 Diabetes at Different Developmental Age Groups

• Main Authors: Amir Babiker, Bothainah Al Aqeel, Sarah Marie, Hala Omer, Aban Bahabri, Adnan Al Shaikh, Nada Zahrani, Motasim Badri, Mohamed Al Dubayee, Ibrahim Al Alwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2021-02-01
• Series: Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/1179551421990678

Background: Children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at different stages of development have age-specific needs, which can influence their perception of quality of life (QoL). In our study, we aimed to emphasize these age-specific needs and assess the perception of QoL in Saudi children with T1D, as well as their parents correlating QoL scores with children’s glycemic control. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which children with T1D and their parents from 2 tertiary institutes in Saudi Arabia have answered a standard diabetes-specific QoL questionnaire (PedsQL™ 3.0 diabetes module, translated in Arabic). We also reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) results for these children within a month of completing the questionnaire. The QoL total aggregate and domain scores for self (children) and proxy (parents’) reports were compared and correlated with children’s HbA1c. Results: A sample was 288 self and proxy reports from 144 children with T1D of 3 age groups: 5 to 7 years (7%), 8 to 12 years (49%), and 13 to 18 years (44%), and their parents. QoL differed significantly between self and proxy reports in the total aggregate and domain scores ( P -values range from .02 to <.001). The impact on QoL was significantly higher in female patients ( P  = .043). Insulin pump users had better HbA1c ( P  = .007), and HbA1c level was worse in those who intended to fast at Ramadan ( P  = .005). Conclusion: Children with T1D at different developmental age groups perceive QoL differently than their parents. Adjusting management as per age-specific challenges could potentially improve these children’s QoL and glycemic control.