The Effect of Fear of Hypoglycemia on Glycemic Control and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fear of hypoglycemia on glycemic control and quality of life of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This study was conducted as descriptive research. The study was carried out with 117 adolescents aged 13-18 years diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Data were collected between July 2023 and February 2024. Data were collected face-to-face using a personal information form, the Virginia Child/Adolescent Low Blood Glucose Scale and the Quality-of-Life Scale for Children. Pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data obtained from the scales. Results: In this study, the mean hypoglycemia fear score of adolescents was low (45.15±7.13) and similarly, the mean quality of life score was low (25.48±14.09). There was no significant correlation between fear of hypoglycemia and HbA1c (r = 0.099, P = .288). There was a negative correlation between fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life (r =-0.184; P < .05). Conclusion: There was no relationship between fear of hypoglycemia and glycemic control, but there was a decrease in quality of life in adolescents with high fear of hypoglycemia. Nurses should evaluate the psychological effects of hypoglycemia while evaluating its physiological effects, allow them to express their fears about diabetes and find solutions to their problems with a multidisciplinary approach.