Biosensors (Sep 2024)

Improved Glycemic Control during a One-Week Adventure Camp in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes—The DIACAMP Study

  • Antonia-Therese Kietaibl,
  • Faisal Aziz,
  • Eva Wurm,
  • Celine Tomka,
  • Elke Fröhlich-Reiterer,
  • Othmar Moser,
  • Thomas R. Pieber,
  • Peter Fasching,
  • Julia K. Mader,
  • Harald Sourij,
  • Felix Aberer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14090451
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 9
p. 451

Abstract

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Adolescence remains a crucial age associated with diabetes distress in individuals living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Austrian organization “Diabär” regularly hosts a one-week adventure camp for adolescents (12–18 years) living with T1D. The camp focuses on “fun activities” without a structured educational protocol in order to minimize diabetes distress and increase diabetes management skills. In contrast to educational camps, training is kept to a minimum. However, attendees analyze the glycemic data of the previous day with their medical supervisor once daily during the camp. All subjects used a standardized real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system (DexcomG7) throughout the whole study. Glycemic metrics were prospectively analyzed during three periods: week 1 = home phase, week 2 = adventure camp, and week 3 = after the camp. Safety (time below range 1 [TBR1], 69–54 mg/dL, and time below range 2 [TBR2], p = 0.001). The TBR1 significantly increased during camp compared to week 1 (2.5 ±1.7% vs. 1.3 ± 1.2%; p = 0.009), whereas the TBR2 did not differ. No serious adverse events occurred. This adventure camp without a main focus on education showed feasibility and safety in adolescents with T1D.

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