Introduction & Objective: T1D management evolves over the lifespan, as the risk for hypoglycemia increases. Data are limited to guide diabetes education and nutrition in older adults. Our objective was to assess strategies employed by older adults with T1D employ to accurately dose insulin surrounding food intake.
Methods: We administered a one-time electronic survey (Sept - Nov 2023) to capture dietary beliefs and practices among older adults (≥65 years) with T1D receiving care in a university-affiliated hospital system. We analyzed responses using descriptive statistics. We extracted clinical data from the EHR.
Results: Data from 77 older adults were analyzed [45.5% male, 93.5% non-Hispanic White; mean age 71.3±4.1 yrs; mean diabetes duration 33.5±18.1yrs; mean HbA1c 6.8±1.1; mean BMI 27.3±4.70]. Most older adults endorsed counting carbohydrates (CHO), checking glucose before eating, and eating in approximately the same way every day, while few endorsed using CHO exchanges, phone apps, or following a pre-specified meal plan. Education, sex, and age were associated with several strategies; mean HbA1c and BMI were significantly higher among those who did not count CHO (Figure).
Conclusion: Older adults with T1D utilize varying strategies to dose insulin. Understanding factors underlying preferences may enable better matching of adults with acceptable and effective methods for managing T1D and diet.
A. Kahkoska: None. J. Sprinkles: None. N.R. Gopisetty: None. G. Ercolino: None. R. Muthukkumar: None. X. Qu: None. A. Fruik: None. E.J. Mayer-Davis: None. A. Cristello Sarteau: None.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health (K12TR004416)
