Transition between paediatric and adult diabetes healthcare services: An online global survey of healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions.

INTRODUCTION: Youth with diabetes should transition from paediatric to adult diabetes services in a deliberate, organized and cooperative way. We sought to identify healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences and perceptions around transition readiness planning, policies and procedures, and the actual transfer to adult services. METHODS: Data were collected via an online global survey (seven language options), broadly advertised by the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), team members and partners, via newsletters, websites, e-mails and social media. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 372) were mainly physicians (74.5 %), practicing in government funded (59.4 %), paediatric (54.0 %), metropolitan settings (85.8 %) in Europe (44.9 %); 37.1 % in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Few centers used a transition readiness checklist (32.8 %), provided written transition information (29.6 %), or had a dedicated staff member (23.7 %). Similarly, few involved a psychologist (25.8 %), had combined (35.2 %) or transition/young person-only clinics (34.9 %), or a structured transition education program (22.6 %); 49.8 % advised youth to use technology to assist the transfer. Most (91.9 %) respondents reported barriers in offering a good transition experience. Proportionally, more respondents from LMICs prioritised more funding (p = 0.01), a structured protocol (p < 0.001) and education (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HCPs' experiences and perceptions related to transition vary widely. There is a pressing need for an international consensus transition guideline.

Managing children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and coexisting celiac disease: Real-world data from a global survey.

OBJECTIVES: Celiac disease (CD) is among the diseases most commonly associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study aimed to evaluate the worldwide practices and attitudes of physicians involved in pediatric diabetes care regarding diagnosing and managing CD in children with T1D. METHODS: The 30-item survey was conducted between July and December 2023 aimed at targeting pediatricians with special interest in T1D and CD. It was shared by the JENIOUS- young investigators group of the International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) and the YES- early career group of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE). RESULTS: 180 physicians (67.8% female) from 25 countries responded. Among respondents, 62.2% expected sustaining optimal glycemic control in children with T1D and CD (T1D+CD) to be more difficult than in children with T1D alone. Majority (81.1%) agreed that more specific guidelines are needed. The follow-up routine for patients with T1D+CD differed, and one-quarter of physicians scheduled more frequent follow-up checkups for these patients. Seventy percent agreed multidisciplinary outpatient clinics for their follow-up is needed. In the multivariate ordinal logistic regression model, a statistically significant predictor of a higher degree of practice according to ISPAD 2022 guidelines was a higher level of country income (OR=3.34; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed variations in physicians' practices regarding managing CD in children with T1D, emphasising the need for more specific guidelines and intensive education of physicians in managing this population, especially in lower-income countries. Our data also suggest the implementation of multidisciplinary outpatient clinics for their follow-up.

Insulin Injection Technique Questionnaire: results of an international study comparing Brazil, Latin America and World data.

BACKGROUND: In 2014-2015, the largest international survey of insulin injection technique in patients with diabetes taking insulin was conducted in 42 countries, totaling 13,289 participants. In Brazil, patients from five public health centers were included. This study aims to evaluate insulin injection technique in Brazilian patients and compare results with Latin America (LatAm) and World data. METHODS: The insulin Injection Technique Questionnaire (ITQ) survey consisted of an initial patient section (questions applied by an experienced nurse), followed by observation of injection technique and examination of the injection sites by the health care professional. RESULTS: In Brazil, 255 patients were evaluated: 25% had type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and 75% had T2DM. In this study, 79% of patients injected less than 4 times a day, and 17.3% used insulin pens, compared to 28% in LatAm and 86% worldwide. Syringes were used by 78% of patients in Brazil, compared to 65% in LatAm and 10% globally. Differences in needle length were substantial-nearly 64% in Brazil inject with 8 mm length needle compared to 48% in LatAm and 27% worldwide. Additionally, 48% of patients in Brazil skip doses, 80% reuse pen needles and 57% reuse syringes with 27% having lipohypertrophy by exam. CONCLUSION: Brazilian patients use syringes more and pens less, inject with larger needles and have more lipohypertrophy when compared to Latin America and World data. Their re-use of needles and syringes is also high. This study showed that in Brazil, teaching of proper injection technique has to be more widespread, and more intensive during diabetes educational sessions, and the type of delivered supplies must be updated to smaller, shorter needles preferred by patients, in order to facilitate adherence to treatment. From the ITQ, we conclude that there are many aspects of insulin injection technique that may be improved in Brazil.