Scholastic achievement, physical and psychosocial aspects of quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of young people with type one diabetes in countries worldwide. This cross sectional study was conducted on 170 children [students in basic education] with type 1 diabetes mellitus to study the impact of the disease and glycaemic control on their scholastic achievement, physical and psychosocial aspects of quality of life. They were selected by systematic random sampling method from diabetic clinics in Benha University Hospital and Benha Teaching Hospital. A group of 120 matched controls were selected from the residents of the same areas. All subjects were clinically examined and interviewed using special structured questionnaire to assess their physical, psychological and social domains and scholastic achievement. Psychometric measures were also done to assess level of anxiety, depression and I.Q score among them. Glycaemic control for the cases was assessed by glycosylated haemoeglobin [HbA 1C] level. This study revealed that the quality of life of the studied groups regarding physical, psychological and social domains and scholastic achievement were significantly impaired in the affected children more than those in control group [P < 0.05]. The diabetic children showed significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower level of IQ score than those in the normal group. Children with type 1 diabetes who had poor glycaemic control were found to have higher levels of psychological and social distress and lower level of scholastic achievement. Hence the study recommended implementing a program to improve the quality of life of diabetic children as well as regular psychiatric evaluation and interventions for those children