Endocrine Abstracts

Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of sports/exercise in children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) [NICE guidance 1.2.47–1.2.53]. In 2014 our Paediatric Diabetes service set up a Diabetes Sports clinic run by a paediatric diabetologist and dietician and an adult diabetologist. Appointments were offered to families of CYP with T1DM who are ‘elite sportspersons’–performing at competitive levels, or regional/national levels. We have held 4 clinics and seen 18 families. Clinic aims include: reducing the number and severity of hypos in children doing a lot of sport, giving advice on dietary intake during/after sport, and generally improving confidence about being active with sport.

Method: A service-user audit was performed to assess patient/user satisfaction. Eighteen questionnaires were sent out, 14 were returned (=78% response rate). We also audited the number of hypos in the 3 months before the Diabetes Sports Clinic appointment and in the 3 months following the clinic.

Results: • About 86% of families were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the pre-clinic information they received (including details of information that would be useful for them to collect prior to coming to the appointment).

• About 100% of families were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the length of the clinic appointment (40minutes), the knowledge of the MDT team, and found the discussion in clinic useful.

• About 93% of families ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that they were able to make improvements to their child’s care using information provided in the Diabetes Sports Clinic (7% neither agreed nor disagreed).

• About 100% of families were ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to recommend the clinic to family or friends with T1DM and 93% of families believe they would benefit from a follow-up appointment.

• There was a reduction in hypo episodes in 73% of patients who attended the clinic (no change in 9%).

Conclusion: We are very encouraged by thse results and we plan to expand the service to cover the region. We also held a Family Sports Education morning in May which was very well received, and we have written etailed family information leaflets on T1DM and exercise.