Health-related quality of life of Taranaki children with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children/adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Taranaki compared to siblings without diabetes/chronic disease. METHODS: The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) was requested in those with type 1 diabetes (n=67), their parent(s), and their siblings (where available). Age, gender, ethnicity, Deprivation Index, and clinical information were collected. Regression analysis was conducted to explore differences in HRQOL scores between diabetes patients and their siblings, adjusting for confounding factors. Predictive effects of aspects of diabetes on HRQOL were evaluated. RESULTS: 56 diabetes patients participated (84% response), and responses from 35 siblings were obtained. Exclusions (n=14) included those with type 1 diabetes for <6 months, type 2 diabetes, and other long-term medical or psychiatric conditions. Good level of agreement was found between parent-proxy and child report. There was no difference in HRQOL between the diabetes group and their siblings (mean-4.37, 95%CI [-10.67, 1.92]; p=0.17). Poorer diabetes control was associated with worse HRQOL (mean-0.32, 95%CI [-0.63,-0.01]; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Surprisingly, HRQOL in children/adolescents with type 1 diabetes was similar to their siblings. This was encouraging as type 1 diabetes may not adversely affect HRQOL to the degree expected in Taranaki children.