Influence of self-monitoring training on the level of quality of life in children with diabetes mellitus

Objective. Based on international recommendations, to study the dynamics of quality of life (QOL) indicators of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) and their parents to address the effectiveness of self-control training in this pathology, taking into account the length of illness, type of therapy, as well as the use of modern disease control capabilities.

Materials and methods. The observation group consisted of 56 children with DM1 and their parents (the sample was created by a continuous selection method and included all patients living in cities on the territory of the closed administrative-territorial formation of the Krasnoyarsk Territory). The survey was carried out using special questionnaires of the PedsQL diabetic module, compiled in the form of tests, including blocks taking into account the age groups 5–7, 8–12 and 13–18 years for children and parents. The work was carried out in 2 stages: assessment of QOL before self-control training and after 1 year (the time interval corresponds to clinical recommendations, in which the frequency of self-control training is indicated for a period of 1 year).

Results. The analysis of children's QOL on certain questionnaire questions showed a significant predominance of symptoms of decompensation of the disease (hypoglycemia, irritability and thirst) on the "Diabetes" scale and increased emotional lability, embarrassment, difficulties and awkwardness in communication and increased anxiety on the "Communication" scale in children with a disease duration of less than 5 years. Self-control training in order to maintain and expand the level of knowledge allowed parents to achieve improvements in quality of life indicators on almost all scales under consideration, and especially on the scales "Diabetes" and "Treatment. Our study showed an increase in the level of QOL on the "Treatment" scale in patients on pump insulin therapy in comparison with the use of syringe pens, as well as continuous monitoring of glycemia, the use of which significantly increased the score on the "Diabetes", "Treatment" and "Communication" scales in relation to traditional glycemic control with a glucometer.

Conclusion. The study of QOL is the best option for identifying the individual characteristics of the patient's condition with further use of the results in correcting the treatment of the disease.