Introduction & Objective: Transfer from pediatric to adult care is challenging and YA with T1D are at risk for suboptimal outcomes. Protective factors are less studied during this vulnerable period. We aimed to explore associations between psychosocial factors and HbA1c as YA with T1D left pediatric care.
Methods: At baseline of an RCT, n=100 YA (Mean age=19.9±1.3 yrs, HbA1c=8.8±2.0%, 56% pump, 76% CGM) self-reported demographic/clinical variables and completed measures of diabetes strengths and diabetes distress. HbA1c was from electronic health records or dried blood spot. Multiple regressions evaluated associations between diabetes strengths, diabetes distress, and HbA1c, controlling for covariates.
Results: Domains of diabetes distress (management r=0.51; powerlessness r=0.19) and strengths (diabetes-related confidence r= -0.25) significantly correlated with HbA1c. The full regression model (Table) explained 39% of variance in HbA1c; public insurance, non-Hispanic ethnicity, no pump use, and higher diabetes distress significantly predicted higher HbA1c.
Conclusion: When leaving pediatrics, diabetes distress appears particularly relevant to glycemic outcomes, outweighing diabetes strengths. Addressing diabetes distress and supporting device use in culturally-informed ways may help improve glycemic outcomes as YA with T1D transfer to adult care.
S. Camey: None. S.A. Carreon: None. C.G. Minard: None. S. Lyons: None. R. Streisand: None. T.S. Tang: None. S. Mckay: None. B.J. Anderson-Thomas: None. S. Devaraj: None. M.E. Hilliard: None.
National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (1R01DK119246); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (K26 DK138332)
