Clinical and Demographic Characteristics Associated with Type 1 Diabetes Distress in Latin American Children.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the degree of diabetes-specific distress in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and its association with demographic characteristics, family and educational situation indicators, glycemic control, complications, and disease duration.

Study design: A cross-sectional study (Jan-Mar 2025) in Argentina and Chile included 143 T1DM patients (8-17 years, ≥1-year duration). Diabetes distress was measured using the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire (0-80; high distress ≥40).

Results: One hundred forty-three children (53.8%; 77 females), median age 13.4 years (IQR 11.5-15.8 years), T1DM duration 4.4 y (IQR 3.3-6.6 years), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 8.5%, 69.8 mmol/mol (IQR 7.4%-9.4%), were included. The median PAID score was 25 (IQR 15-42), with 28% (95% CI: 20.6-35.3) experiencing high distress (PAID ≥ 40). HbA1c was higher in children with high distress 9.00% (IQR: 8.1%-10.4%) than in moderate 8.5% (IQR: 7.5%-9.7%) or low distress 7.8% (IQR: 7.0%-8.9%). There was a higher prevalence of children living with only one parent among those with high or moderate distress (33.3%, 95% CI: 24%-34%) compared to those with low distress (9.8%, 95% CI: 2%-18%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher HbA1c values were significantly associated with being in the high distress group (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.12-1.96 per % point HbA1c), adjusted for confounding variables.

Conclusions: Diabetes distress was linked to higher HbA1c in Latin American children with T1DM. This suggests that addressing diabetes distress may contribute to improved glycemic control.