524-P: Diabetes Device Use Linked with Lower Family Conflict in Teens with Type 1 Diabetes Free

Introduction: Use of hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery systems have been associated with better glycemic control and lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values, and better glycemic control is linked with less diabetes-specific family conflict among adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Little is known, however, about how the use of closed-loop systems relates to diabetes family conflict.

Methods: Participants included 60 teens ages 13-17 who had been diagnosed with T1D for ≥1 year and who reported at least moderate diabetes distress (M age= 16.15±1.4, 68% white, non-Hispanic 68% female), and their parents (78% white, non-Hispanic, 78% Married, 83% female). As part of baseline data collection of an ongoing two-site trial of a behavioral intervention, parents and teens each reported on diabetes device use and diabetes-related family conflict. HbA1c values were obtained from teens’ medical records or mail-in kits. Nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) tests were conducted to examine differences between parent and teen-reported diabetes family conflict and HbA1c in relation to use of closed-loops systems.

Results: Of the participants, 12 teens (20%) were using a closed-loop system. The use of closed-loop systems was associated with lower levels of parent-reported diabetes-related family conflict (z= -2.372, p=0.018). Use of closed-loop systems was also associated with lower HbA1c values (z= -2.865, p=.004). However, teens’ own report of family conflict was not significantly related to use of the closed-loop systems (z= -1.331, .183).

Conclusion: Results suggest that the use of closed-loop systems is associated with both lower HbA1c and lower parent perceptions of diabetes-related family conflict. While future studies are needed to replicate these findings in larger samples and over time, our findings further support that closed-loop systems may reduce the burden of diabetes - particularly for parents - and improve both psychosocial and glycemic outcomes in families of youth with T1D.