A randomized controlled trial of telephone calls to young patients with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To determine if scheduled telephone calls from a pediatric diabetes educator to children who have type 1 diabetes improve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, hospital admissions, diabetes knowledge, compliance, and psychological well-being. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 123 young subjects (mean age 11.9 yr, 69 male) with type 1 diabetes (mean duration 3.65 yr). For 7 months, the intervention group held bimonthly 15-30 min scheduled supportive telephone discussions. The primary outcome was change in the HbA1c level. Admission rates and changes in diabetes knowledge, psychological parameters, compliance, and patient perception were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups either before or after the intervention. The mean HbA1c level in the control group increased from 8.32 to 8.82% and in the intervention group from 8.15 to 8.85% (p = 0.24). Both groups showed an increase in admissions of 0.2 per yr (p = 0.57). There was no improvement in diabetes knowledge (p = 0.34), compliance, or psychological function. The intervention group viewed their contact with the clinic as more helpful (p = 0.003). Analysis of family function did not reveal subgroups with statistically significant differences. A mean of 13 calls was made to each subject at a cost of 36 Australian dollars per child per month. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduled bimonthly phone support does not improve the HbA1c level, admission rates, diabetes knowledge, psychological function, or self-management but is perceived by patients as helpful. Further study into the effects of more frequent but shorter periods of support for patients experiencing specific difficulties is needed.     

Sleep and type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents: Proposed theoretical model and clinical implications

Youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) experience more sleep disturbances and shorter sleep durations compared to their healthy peers. Researchers have now uncovered the negative mental health and physical health outcomes associated with poor sleep in youth with T1D. The field of T1D sleep research currently operates under the broad notion that sleep behaviors impact treatment adherence, which ultimately lead to worse long‐term health outcomes. This model however does not explain how behavior influences T1D management and sleep outcomes on a day‐to‐day basis, leading to difficulties in providing tailored treatment recommendations. In this review, we present a theoretical framework that describes the recursive cycle between sleep behaviors, T1D outcomes, and symptoms of negative affect/stress over a 24‐hour period. This model is guided by the sleep literature, showing a clear relationship between poor sleep and negative affect, and the T1D literature demonstrating a link between poor sleep and disease management for youth with T1D. Further, emerging literature indicates a need for additional parent sleep assessment considering that T1D management and fear of hypoglycemia negatively impact parent sleep behaviors. Recommendations are provided to move the field toward effective intervention studies and new areas of research to evaluate and modify the proposed model.     

移植治疗在儿童与青少年1型糖尿病治疗中的应用进展

儿童与青少年1型糖尿病的患病率在近数十余年来呈现明显的上升趋势,传统的药物治疗方法可有效地改善血糖,但无法达到根治的目的。移植治疗作为一种可能达到根治目标的治疗方案受到越来越多的关注,主要包括胰岛移植、干细胞移植以及胰腺移植。移植后伴随的排异反应、胰岛细胞炎症及凋亡反应等仍是目前限制移植治疗在1型糖尿病治疗中应用的重大瓶颈,未来有望通过一氧化碳暴露或调节性T细胞治疗等相关方法得到一定突破。目前移植治疗在1型糖尿病中的研究主要集中在动物研究或成人临床试验中,关于儿童与青少年1型糖尿病移植治疗的研究报道相对较少。粪菌移植未来有望成为1型糖尿病辅助治疗的方法,达到辅助改善胰岛功能的目的。     

儿童1型糖尿病的诊治与展望

儿童糖尿病主要为儿童1型糖尿病(T1DM),根据我国大中城市的大样本纵向调查,其年发病率增幅约为世界平均增幅的3倍,5岁以下儿童增幅较高,提示我国儿童T1DM低龄化趋势。T1DM的病因机制复杂,遗传易感和环境因素促发是其发病的主要原因。年幼起病、长病程、血糖控制欠佳除导致糖尿病慢性并发症高发外,还影响患儿精神运动发育。药物治疗、血糖监测、健康教育、运动和营养管理是儿童T1DM良好血糖控制的根本举措。人工胰腺、干细胞胰岛分化与移植、免疫干预未来有可能从根本上改善未来T1DM的治疗和预后。