Frequency and associated risk factors of recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis among Saudi adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

To explore the frequency and associated risk factors of recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis [RDKA] among Saudi adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM]. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 T1DM adolescents [aged 13-18 years, 57 males] who were hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis][DKA] between January 2013 and May 2014 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City [PSMMC], Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The respondents were purposively, conveniently selected, and interviewed using a structured Arabic questionnaire including clinical information and demographics. Fifty-six participants had experienced one episode of DKA, 41 had 2 episodes, and 6 had >/=3 episodes. Compared with adolescents who had hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 9 HbA1c. Similarly, adolescents who stopped insulin and those with lipodystrophy at the injection site had a higher frequency of RDKA. Discontinuing insulin [67%] was the major reason for RDKA followed by infection [31%]. Among adolescents who discontinued insulin treatment, 31 [46.3%] gave no reason for stopping, 25 [37.3%] reported feeling sick, 7 [10.4%] gave a combination of reasons, and 4 [6%] reported a lack of supplies or other reasons. Regression analysis revealed that a higher HbA1c level and the presence of lipodystrophy were independent risk factors for RDKA. The frequency of RDKA was significantly greater in the T1DM adolescents with a higher HbA1c level, lipodystrophy, and those who had discontinued insulin treatment. Comprehensive multidisciplinary diabetes education should be offered to control modifiable risk factors in these patients

Predictive risk factors for fear of hypoglycemia and anxiety-related emotional disorders among adolescents with type 1 diabetes

To explore the fear of hypoglycemia [FOH] and anxiety-related emotional disorders and their risk factors among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM].Subjects and A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 adolescents [aged 13-18 years; 92 males, 95 females] with T1DM at the Diabetes Treatment Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June 2013 to February 2014. The participants were interviewed using FOH and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders [SCARED] scales. Females had significantly higher scores on all FOH and SCARED subscales compared to males. The mean scores for many subscales of FOH and SCARED were higher in the older age group [16-18 years], in those under multiple-dose injection [MDI] treatment [compared with the insulin pump treatment], and in those with a longer duration of T1DM. Similarly, significant differences were observed in those with high frequencies of hypoglycemia, passing out, hypoglycemia while asleep and awake, and hypoglycemia in front of friends and at school. Regression analysis revealed that higher age, female gender, MDI treatment, longer duration of T1DM, higher frequencies of hypoglycemia, passing out, hypoglycemia while asleep and awake, and hypoglycemia in front of friends and at school were the risk factors associated with the majority of the FOH and SCARED subscales. The behavior of the FOH subscale correlated with all the subscales of SCARED except the subscale of generalized anxiety disorder. Similarly, the FOH subscale of worry significantly correlated with all the subscales of SCARED. The strongest determinants of higher risk for the majority of the FOH and SCARED subscales were higher age, female gender, MDI treatment, longer duration of T1DM, higher frequency of hypoglycemia, passing out due to hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia while asleep and awake, and hypoglycemia in front of friends and at school