Assessing Treatment Barriers in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

2011

AIMS: The current study was designed to identify barriers that prevent young adults with DM1 from achieving glycemic control. METHODS: Eighty-three young adult patients with DM1 [age 22.2?2.8 years (mean?SD), duration diabetes 11.3?5.6 years, HbA1c 8.8?2.1%] completed a battery of surveys assessing potential barriers to achieving glycemic control. Results of questionnaires were correlated with the patient's most recent HbA1c, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine what barriers were significantly associated with HbA1c levels. RESULTS: Questionnaires that significantly correlated with HbA1c levels included the Conflict Subscale of the Diabetes Responsibility and Conflict Scale (r=.55, p<.01), the Modified Barriers to Adherence Questionnaire (r=.42, p<.01), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (r=.31, p<.05). An item analysis of the Modified Barriers to Adherence Scale suggested that patient confidence with carbohydrate counting was most statistically associated with HbA1c [F(3, 80)=12.95, p<.01, R(2)=.35]. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that despite attempts to educate patients; barriers such as family conflict, psychological issues, and carbohydrate counting remain obstacles impeding glycemic control in young adults with DM1.

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

Consumers/Families, Professionals, Students

N/A