Association of Self-Efficacy, Transition Readiness and Diabetes Distress With Glycemic Control in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Preparing to Transition to Adult Care.

OBJECTIVES

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are associated with inadequate medical follow up, suboptimal glycemic control and higher risk for adverse outcomes. Our aim in this study was to determine whether self-efficacy, transition readiness or diabetes distress is associated with glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin [A1C]) among adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) preparing to transition to adult care.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of adolescents (age 17 years) with T1D followed at the Montreal Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic 1 year before transferring to adult care. Participants completed validated questionnaires on self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Self-Management Measure [SEDM], score 1 to 10), transition readiness (Am I ON TRAC? For Adult Care questionnaire [TRAC], score ≥8 indicates readiness) and diabetes distress (Diabetes Distress Scale for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes [T1-DDS], score ≥3 indicates distress). The primary outcome was A1C (%) 1 year before transfer. We examined associations of self-efficacy, transition readiness and diabetes distress with A1C using multivariate linear and logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age at diagnosis and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

Of 74 adolescents with T1D (29 males, 39.1%), 27 (36.4%) had suboptimal glycemic control (A1C ≥9.0%). Less than half were transition-ready (TRAC questionnaire score ≥8) and 14% had diabetes distress (T1-DDS score ≥3). SEDM was not associated with A1C. Adolescents considered ready for transition were less likely to have suboptimal glycemic control (odds ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.09 to 0.99), whereas adolescents with diabetes distress were more likely to have suboptimal glycemic control (odds ratio, 6.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 36.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Improving health-care transition within pediatric care should focus on both transition readiness and diabetes distress to help improve adolescents' glycemic control and prepare them for adult care.