Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: In the United Kingdom, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes in the under-15s is rising fast, an increase of 80% is expected by 2020 and even higher, 125%, in the under five age group. The National Service Framework Standard recommends that all children/young adults with diabetes should receive consistently high quality care and they, with their families, be supported to optimise the control of their blood glucose and all aspects of their subsequent development.

Aim: To assess young children/adolescents with diabetes who need psychology support in primary/secondary care. The services currently available involves hospital doctors, dietician and nurse specialist. To look for statistical significance between factors like age, gender, family history and need for psychology support.

Methods: It is a prospective study. A voluntary questionnaire was designed which had mixture of closed, open and multiple choice questions. Those children who attended paediatric outpatient diabetic clinic from March to May 2009 were included.

Results: Forty-eight children and families participated in the study. Of them, 52% (n=25) were male. The median age was 12 years (age range 2–16 years). 83% (n=40) of children asked for support in primary and secondary care, out of which 55% (n=22) asked for psychology support.

Conclusion: Requests for psychology support were highest in younger children (<10 years) and their families. Psychologists should be involved along with dietician, nurse and doctors when children are first diagnosed with diabetes. Mental health issues in childhood are likely to persist into early adulthood and appear to be prognostic of maladaptive lifestyle practices, and earlier-than-expected onset of complications.