Visual Abstract

Caregivers, mostly parents, of youth with T1D are integral to management; yet little is known about their care time burden. We assessed time spent providing care to youth with T1D (aged 2-<8 yr) and the impact of adding CGM in a 26-wk randomized trial. Youth not using CGM at baseline (N=143) were randomized to 3 groups; (a) no CGM, (b) CGM+routine training (RT), and (c) CGM+enhanced training (ET). CGM-RT focused on the fundamental aspects of CGM use while CGM-ET added behavioral components to react to CGM use and data. CGM groups used Dexcom G5™, requiring 2 fingerstick BGs/day for calibration and allowing non-adjunctive use. Caregiver time was self-reported using a standardized 1-week log at baseline and 26 weeks. At entry, groups were similar in age, T1D duration, race/ethnicity, sex, pump use, parent education and care time (hrs/wk; 8.1±6.7). Across all groups, insulin pump users reported more care time than injection users by 3.2 hrs/wk (p=0.03). CGM groups had increased care time at 26 wk (Table). On average, CGM-RT added ~12 min/day in care time, with increased time for CGM use, but decreased time for other care activities. CGM-ET added 40 min/day in care time, attributed to increased time in CGM use, BG monitoring, and educating others. Adding CGM to T1D care in young children can increase caregiver time, especially with enhanced education, indicating a need to address positive trade-offs as one aims to optimize family management of T1D.

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Disclosure

A. Glynn: None. L. Kanapka: None. K. Miller: Other Relationship; Self; Dexcom, Inc., Tandem Diabetes Care, Research Support; Self; JDRF, Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. L. M. Laffel: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Dexcom, Inc., Dompe, Insulogic LLC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Laxmi Therapeutic Devices, LifeScan, Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Provention Bio, Inc. L. Dimeglio: Advisory Panel; Self; MannKind Corporation. T. Songer: Employee; Spouse/Partner; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Funding

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

© 2021 by the American Diabetes Association
2021
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