title: Impact of a pioneer diabetes camp experience on glycemic control among children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The metabolic impact of participating in a diabetes camp is little known among children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess the changes in glycemic control and insulin doses in a group of children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in Cameroon during and after camp attendance.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 5-day camp, we collected data on insulin doses, HbA1c, weight and blood glucose at least six times per day in a group of children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes. We compared the evolution of these parameters 3 and 12 months after camp.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two campers completed the study. The mean age was 19 ± 2 years and the median duration of diabetes was 2 [IQR: 1.8-5] years. The mean HbA1c was 7.9 ± 2.2 % and the mean insulin dose was 49 ± 20 units/day upon arrival at camp. HbA1c dropped by 0.6 % after 12 months (p = 0.029). Despite the significant (p = 0.04) reduction in insulin dose from 49 ± 20 to 44 ± 18 units/day at the end of camp, hypoglycemic episodes occurred in 26 campers. However, the mean number of hypoglycemic episodes reduced from 1.32 (range: 0-4) on the first day, to 0.54 (range: 0-2) on the last day of camp (p = 0.006). Weight increased by 6 kg (p = 0.028) between 3 and 12 months after camp, but insulin doses remained unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attending camp for children and adolescents living with diabetes is associated with a significant decrease in HbA1c twelve months after camp without changes in insulin doses. Including camps as an integral part of type 1 diabetes management in children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa may yield some benefits.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02632032 . Registered 4 December 2015.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Diabetes Service, Yaoundé Central Hospital, PO Box 87, Yaoundé, Cameroon. ydehayem@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mesmin Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Dehayem
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Diabetes Service, Yaoundé Central Hospital, PO Box 87, Yaoundé, Cameroon. t2pires@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rémy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takogue
authors.affiliation: Health and Human Development Research Group, Douala, Cameroon. schoukem@gmail.com.|Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. schoukem@gmail.com.|Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. schoukem@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Siméon-Pierre
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Choukem
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Biotechnology Centre, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. olivierdonfack@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Olivier T S
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Donfack
authors.affiliation: Bafoussam Regional Hospital, Bafoussam, Cameroon. kattejc@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Katte
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Centre, Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon. suzysap@gmail.com.|Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. suzysap@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sap
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Diabetes Service, Yaoundé Central Hospital, PO Box 87, Yaoundé, Cameroon. sobngwieugene@yahoo.fr.|Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Biotechnology Centre, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. sobngwieugene@yahoo.fr.|Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. sobngwieugene@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Eugène
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sobngwi
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Diabetes Service, Yaoundé Central Hospital, PO Box 87, Yaoundé, Cameroon. jcmbanya@yahoo.co.uk.|Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Biotechnology Centre, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. jcmbanya@yahoo.co.uk.|Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. jcmbanya@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mbanya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D000068957:Games, Recreational; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose