Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Chronic Illn. 2022 Dec;18(4):742-756. doi: 10.1177/1742395320985924. Epub 2021 Jan 20.
Type 1 diabetes can have life-shattering consequences for adolescents and parents. A closed-loop system is a cutting-edge technology which automatically regulates glucose to reduce the burden of diabetes management. We explored adolescents' and parents' experiences of using this technology to understand how it affects their biographies and everyday lives.
In-depth interviews with 18 adolescents newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and 21 parents after ≥12 months experience using closed-loop technology. Data were analysed thematically.
Participants reported very few disruptions to their lives when using a closed-loop. Reports of family conflict were minimal as the closed-loop enabled dietary flexibility and glucose levels to be checked effortlessly. Adolescents described doing 'normal' activities without worrying about high/low glucose, and parents reported allowing them to do so unsupervised because the closed-loop would regulate their glucose and keep them safe. Some adolescents expressed concerns about the visibility of components and, to avoid stigma, described curtailing activities such as swimming. Participants described how the closed-loop enabled adolescents to be in control of, or create distance from, diabetes.
The closed-loop has life-enhancing consequences for both adolescents and parents and helps to reduce the biographical disruption of type 1 diabetes in this age group.
1 型糖尿病会给青少年及其父母带来改变人生的后果。闭环系统是一种先进的技术，可以自动调节血糖，减轻糖尿病管理的负担。我们探讨了青少年和家长使用这种技术的经验，以了解它如何影响他们的生活和日常生活。
对 18 名新诊断为 1 型糖尿病的青少年和 21 名使用闭环技术≥12 个月的家长进行深入访谈。对数据进行主题分析。
参与者报告在使用闭环系统时生活很少受到干扰。家庭冲突的报告很少，因为闭环系统允许饮食灵活，并且可以轻松检查血糖水平。青少年描述了他们可以无忧无虑地进行“正常”活动，而父母报告说，因为闭环系统会调节他们的血糖并确保他们的安全，所以他们可以在无人监督的情况下进行这些活动。一些青少年对组件的可见性表示担忧，并为避免污名化，描述了减少游泳等活动。参与者描述了闭环系统如何使青少年能够控制或与糖尿病保持距离。
闭环系统对青少年及其父母都具有增强生活的作用，并有助于减少该年龄段 1 型糖尿病对生活的破坏。
