Predictors of diabetes-related quality of life after transitioning to the insulin pump.
OBJECTIVE
To examine family and individual psychosocial, medical, and demographic factors associated with improved diabetes-related quality of life (QOL) after transitioning to the insulin pump among youth with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
Fifty-three parent-child dyads completed questionnaires on four occasions prior to and following this medical regimen change, assessing QOL, family environment, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and medical and demographic information. Trajectories of change in QOL were analyzed using multilevel modeling.


RESULTS
Psychosocial, medical, and demographic characteristics were associated with QOL prior to pump-start. Elements of children's QOL significantly improved after the transition, and improvement was predicted by psychosocial, medical, and demographic characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that individual and contextual factors may play a role in QOL as children transition to the insulin pump. Findings may guide efforts to support families through this challenging time and potentially inform candidacy for transition to the pump.
Hilliard
Marisa E
ME
Children's National Medical, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Goeke-Morey
Marcie
M
Cogen
Fran R
FR
Henderson
Celia
C
Streisand
Randi
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007328:Insulin