Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Patients with type 1 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more often absent from clinic visits than patients with diabetes type 1 without. If they come, they are often delayed, plasma glucose self-monitoring meters are not brought with, blood specimen collections are not done and difficulties in self-care are noticed. To achieve a stable blood glucose control, meals with a calculated amount of carbohydrates matched with a specific dose of insulin, in consideration of physical activity is desirable. Decreased ability of planning, perception of time, impulse control, setting goals and ability of organizing actions over long time, affects daily life in various levels and are the core symptom of ADHD.

Aims/method: First develop education materials for patients with ADHD aiming to improve the understanding and knowledge of personal diabetes care. Second to develop information material of ADHD and diabetes to all staff at the diabetes clinic. All material have been reviewed by a neuropsychologist.

Results: Education material with pictures for patients has been produced. An information booklet for staff about ADHD has been written, the importance of having a distinct structure of clinic visits has been highlighted. To meet the same health caregiver at every visit including limited amount of information are also key factors. Moreover, memory pens for insulin, SMS-reminders for insulin injections and visits at clinic, continuous glucose monitoring (i.e. FreeStyle Libre) and connecting the patient’s own meter to a computer-assisted program for storing of glucose values (i.e. Diasend) are other important tools.

Conclusion: Patient information based on pictures and less written text is easier to process for people with ADHD. Continuity, in terms of contact with the same health professionals is desirable. We have just started to implement our new material and so far we have got positive feedback from our patients.