Type 1 diabetes (T1D) poses unique challenges to adherence-related behavior because of complex treatment regimens that vary by use of specific technologies. This study used objective data to determine (1) prevalence rates of adherence behaviors in adolescents with T1D, and (2) relationships between adherence and glycemic control.
Data were downloaded for the past 30 consecutive days from glucose meters and multiple insulin pump models for 80 youth (11–17 years old; n = 40 on multiple daily injections (MDIs) and n = 40 on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion [CSII]). Frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG; MDI and CSII users); carbohydrate entry (CSII users); daily insulin bolus delivery (CSII users); episodes of high, very high, and dangerously high hyperglycemia; and correction bolusing for hyperglycemia (CSII users) were calculated.
Participants completed SMBG ≥4 times/day on 46.13% of days (MDI users), 48.74% of days (CSII users nonmanual entries only), and 59.07% of days (CSII users; manual plus nonmanual entries). CSII users entered carbohydrates ≥3 times/day on 61.47% of days and bloused insulin ≥3 times/ day on 87.34% of days. Hyperglycemic readings were followed by a correction bolus in <70% of cases. Greater SMBG, carbohydrate entry, bolus insulin delivery, and correction bolusing for high and very high hyperglycemia predicted lower glycated hemoglobin (sample M = 8.74%, SD = 1.75%).
Objective data from diabetes technology are helpful to differentiate adherence to specific domains of treatment but are complex in nature. Findings support a need for further research to elucidate predictive factors of suboptimal adherence in adolescents with T1D.