Evaluation of continuous patient education in regroupements for adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Background - The goal of the educational groups for adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is to offer a relaxation to these young people, to allow them to meet each other and share their experiences and, on the other hand, to practice group education as ongoing education programs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of this kind of continuing education. Methods - Seventy-seven adolescents with T1D were assessed, before and after a 5-day educational program, on HbA1c, knowledge of T1D, quality of life, experience of the disease, therapeutic adherence and autonomy, and the perception of their health status. Results - Adolescents were aged 13.57 ± 1.46 years. HbA1c decreased from 8.64 ± 2.44% at baseline with 36.36% at the target threshold of 7.5%; to 8.09 ± 2.28% (p <0.01) at 3 months with 48.05% at the target threshold (p=0.06). The number of ketosis and ketoacidosis decreased significantly (p <10¯⁶ and p <10-5, respectively). Mean knowledge score improved significantly (p<10¯7). After 3 months, the quality of life was improved (p<0.03); as well as adolescents’ experience of their illness (p <0.01). The adolescent’s perception of health status evolved favorably (p <0.0001). Conclusions - Our results show the short-term effectiveness of a group education that improves HbA1c, knowledge of T1D, quality of life, T1D experience, perception of health status and intercurrent events. However, maintaining the diabetes control in adolescence remains a challenge for both patients and caregivers.

Keywords

• Type 1 diabetes
• patient education
• adolescents
• camps
• HbA1c