[Clinical status and treatment adherence of young adults with type one diabetes mellitus following transition to adult health care].
OBJECTIVE
This paper highlights the treatment factors of concern after the transition from an outpatient clinic for children and adolescents to an outpatient clinic for adults.


METHODS
Participants were 56 individuals with diabetes type one in their twenties seeking treatment at the Diabetes clinic at Landspítali-University Hospital. In all, 72 outpatients met inclusion criteria and the response rate was 78%.


RESULTS
On the average HbA1c measures were above the American Diabetes Association treatment target, which is HbA1c less than 7%. In the preceding twelve months only 28,6% participants attended at least four routine appointments. Half of the women and 30% of the men suffered from complications, retinopathy being most common. Quarter of the participants smoked, which is the same proportion as for all Icelanders aged 20-29 years old. The smokers had more symptoms of depression and anxiety. 19% of participants used psychotropic medication which is more than twice as high as in the normal population of Iceland.


CONCLUSIONS
Special attention should be made to the fact that HbA1c measures were on the average above the treatment target and complications were common. Psychotropic medication usage was high which indicates that more cooperation between the Diabetes clinic and psychologists and/or psychiatrists is needed. New methods should be explored in reaching out to young people with diabetes.
Halldórsdóttir
Hildur
H
Landspítala, Iceland.
Steinsdóttir
Fjóla Katrín
FK
Gudmundsdóttir
Arna
A
Smári
Jakop
J
Arnarson
Eiríkur Orn
EO
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human