Treatment satisfaction correlated with glycaemic control and burden of diabetes in Swedish adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aim To assess treatment satisfaction and perceived discomfort or pain from the treatment, and potential associations with glycaemic control, type of treatment, perceived burden of diabetes, sex and age, in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods A cross‐sectional study was performed at one paediatric and at one adult diabetes clinic in Sweden, preceded by a translation of “Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) Teen”. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (15‐20 years) participated. The questionnaires “DTSQ Teen” and “Check your health” were used. Data on glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), type of treatment, sex and age were collected. Results 138 adolescents (70 females, mean age 17.3, mean HbA1c 64.0 mmol/mol) participated. Treatment satisfaction correlated inversely with HbA1c (r= ‐0.352, p<0.001) and with all types of burden of diabetes (r= ‐0.342 to ‐0.467, p<0.001), but did not differ with type of treatment, sex and age. Perceived pain correlated inversely with burden on physical health (r= ‐0.265, p=0.002), mental health (r= ‐0.237, p=0.006) and quality of life (r= ‐0.246, p=0.004) but not with HbA1c, age or burden on social relations. Females perceived more discomfort or pain. Conclusion In Swedish adolescents with type 1 diabetes, treatment satisfaction correlated with both glycaemic control and perceived burden of diabetes.