The Association of Sociodemographic Factors and Utilization of Diabetes Technologies with Diabetes Management: An Investigation in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the utilization of diabetes technologies, with diabetes management in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Materials and Methods: Our study included 134 cases diagnosed with T1D who were followed for at least 1 year with T1D. Results: Of the cases, 67.2% were using insulin pens as their insulin regimen, while 37.8% were using insulin pumps. The rate of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) usage was 29.9%. The rate of CGM usage was 5% in families with low income levels. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) level of children with working mothers was found to be higher compared to those with non-working mothers (median 9.2% vs. 8%; P = .009). Cases with 3 or more siblings had higher HbA1c levels compared to those with 2 or fewer siblings (median 8.7% vs. 8.1%; P = .044).The median HbA1c was 8.7% in cases using insulin pens and checking fingerstick blood glucose (SMBG); 8.3% in cases using insulin pumps and SMBG; 7.6% in cases using insulin pens with CGM, and 7.5% in cases using insulin pumps with CGM (P = .003). Conclusion: The utilization of insulin pumps with CGM in T1D cases exhibited lower HbA1clevels. Similarly, even the usage of insulin pens with CGM demonstrated improved diabetes management. Maternal employment and having a higher number of siblings may negatively affect diabetes management due to increased caregiver burden. We believe that personalized healthcare delivery tailored to the individual needs of T1D patients based on family and clinical characteristics could have positive effects on diabetes management.