Type 1 diabetes knowledge assessment: The KAT-1 validation study.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the reliability and validity of a novel pediatric type 1 diabetes knowledge assessment (KAT-1) designed for children, adolescents, young adults and their parents/guardians. The instrument was designed to be integrated into the clinic workflow to obtain objective data electronically. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: KAT-1 was developed by a multidisciplinary team and includes 11 independent topical subscales. Forty children/caregivers participated in a pilot study; their feedback was used to improve item clarity and readability. Subsequently, a validation study was performed in 200 participants (100 children/adolescents/young adults with type 1 diabetes ages 11-21 years and 100 parents/guardians of children with type 1 diabetes ages 1-15 years) to examine correlations between the KAT-1 scores and Revised Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT2) scores and HbA1c. An item analysis was conducted to determine internal consistency and reliability; topical subscales were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Total KAT-1 scores were positively correlated with DKT2 scores r = 0.674, p < 0.001, and negatively correlated with HbA1c, r = -0.3, p < 0.001. All KAT-1 subscales were positively and significantly correlated with one another and with total KAT-1 score. Internal consistency of total KAT-1 score was strong (Cronbach's α = 0.938, mean score 84.6, SD = 16.1) and 9 of 11 independent topical subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency. Completion time for subscales was <5 min. CONCLUSIONS: KAT-1 is a valid instrument to assess type 1 diabetes knowledge. The instrument's short topical subscales can be used to objectively assess specific knowledge and individualize diabetes education. KAT-1 has been integrated into our electronic health record (EPIC) and is available online at no cost.

COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on Caregivers of Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Stress and Self-Efficacy.

Background: Little is known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's psychological effects on caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the experience of caregivers of youth with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 49-item questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale and open-response questions was distributed via e-mail and type 1 diabetes-related social media platforms from 4 May to 22 June 2020. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v.25 statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used. Relationships were compared using Pearson correlation. Qualitative data were coded and categorized. Results: A total of 272 caregivers participated (mean ± SD respondent age 42.1 ± 7.8 years; 94.5% females; 81.3% with college degree or higher; 52.6% with annual income >$99,000; 80.1% with private insurance). The mean ± SD age of caregivers' children with type 1 diabetes was 11.0 ± 4.1 years, and their mean ± SD diabetes duration was 4.2 ± 3.5 years. Participants reported being diagnosed with or knowing someone with COVID-19 (24.6%), increased stress (71.9%), job loss (10.3%), and financial difficulty (26.8%) as a result of the pandemic. General self-efficacy scores were high (mean ± SD 16.2 ± 2.6, range 8-20) and significantly correlated with COVID-19-related self-efficacy (mean ± SD 12.6 ± 2.1; R = 0.394, P <0.001) and type 1 diabetes self-efficacy during COVID-19 (mean ± SD 17.1 ± 2.5; R = 0.421, P <0.001). Conclusion: Despite reporting high overall self-efficacy, caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes reported greater overall stress and challenges during the pandemic. Health care providers should be prepared to provide families with specific social and mental health support.

Videoconference based training on diabetes technology for school nurses and staff: Pilot study.

PURPOSE: Children with diabetes spend a significant portion of time at school and in school-related activities and rely on school nurses for diabetes management support. Diabetes technologies are rapidly evolving, and there are no standardized competencies or training programs for school personnel providing diabetes care. DESIGN AND METHODS: A virtual diabetes education program was provided to school nurses and staff in 3 Florida school districts. Program feasibility was measured by attendance; acceptability was measured with a usability survey; and efficacy was measured by participants' improvements in scores on pre- and post-training knowledge assessments. Descriptive statistics were generated and improvements in knowledge were evaluated via t-test. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Pilot survey data (n = 91) revealed high demand for diabetes technology and basic management education among school nurses and staff. Eighty-eight school personnel from 64 schools attended the training, with 67 participants completing the demographic survey and at least one of the pre- and post-training assessments. Post-test scores demonstrated mean + 10.6% absolute improvement on the diabetes technology subscale, +11.5% on the basic management subscale, and + 10.9% on the ketone management subscale, all p < 0.001. Fifty-three participants completed the usability survey with 92% reporting they benefitted from training. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual training is feasible and acceptable for delivering diabetes technology education to large numbers of school personnel. Study results demonstrate improved diabetes knowledge. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Establishing a standardized training program on diabetes technology for school personnel can optimize diabetes care in the school setting.

Accuracy of Three Commercial Home-Use Hemoglobin A1c Tests.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid expansion of telemedicine have increased the need for accurate and reliable capillary hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing. Nevertheless, validation studies of commercially available products suitable for home use have been in short supply. Methods: Three commercial home-use capillary blood sample HbA1c tests (Home Access, CoreMedica, and A1cNow+) were evaluated in 219 participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (4-80 years years of age, HbA1c 5.1%-13.4% [32-123 mmol/mol]) at four clinical sites. Comparisons were made between HbA1c measurements from the commercial tests and paired venous samples for which HbA1c was measured at two central reference laboratories. The primary outcome was percentage of commercial HbA1c values within 5% of the corresponding reference values. Results: HbA1c values were within 5% (relative difference) of paired reference values for 82% of Home Access samples, 29% of CoreMedica samples, and 46% of A1cNow+ samples. Absolute differences were within 0.3% of the reference value for 75% of Home Access samples, 28% of CoreMedica samples, and 44% of A1cNow+ samples and exceeded 0.5% for 8%, 55%, and 37%, respectively. Conclusions: None of the commercial home-use HbA1c tests produced the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program goal of ≥90% measurements within 5% of a DCCT venous reference. However, the Home Access product performed substantially better than the CoreMedica or A1cNow+ products. Telemedicine is likely to persist as a mainstay of diabetes care well after the COVID-19 era. As such, accurate home-based HbA1c assessment represents an urgent need for the diabetes community.

School Nurse Perspectives on Do-It-Yourself Automated Pancreas Systems in the School Setting.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) artificial pancreas systems (APSs) are gaining popularity among children with type 1 diabetes. Little is known about how school systems provide care for children who use DIY APSs, and available guidance for schools is limited. This study explored school staff perspectives on DIY APSs through a national survey of school nurses about their current practices, beliefs, and attitudes toward DIY APSs. Although one-quarter (23%) of school nurses reported experience with DIY APSs in school, nearly half (46%) had no prior knowledge of this new technology. The majority (82%) reported that children should be allowed to use DIY APSs in school, although there was less consensus about school nurse responsibilities with these devices. Qualitative responses added context regarding potential barriers, including the need for more informed guidelines and training and fears of liability. Future development of school guidelines for DIY APSs is necessary and should incorporate stakeholder perspectives.

An Evaluation of Two Capillary Sample Collection Kits for Laboratory Measurement of HbA1c.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the conduct of clinic visits. We conducted a study to evaluate two academic laboratories' fingerstick capillary blood collection kits suitable for home use for laboratory measurement of HbA1c. Methods: Four clinical sites recruited 240 participants (aged 4-80 years, HbA1c 5.1%-13.5%). Capillary blood samples were obtained by the participant or parent using collection kits from two laboratories (University of Minnesota Advanced Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ARDL) and Children's Mercy Hospital Laboratory (CMH)) and mailed under varying shipping conditions by United States Postal Service to the laboratories. Comparisons were made between HbA1c measurements from capillary samples and contemporaneously obtained venous samples. The primary outcome was percentage of capillary HbA1c values within 5% of the corresponding venous values. Results: HbA1c values were within 5% of venous values for 96% of ARDL kit specimens shipped with a cold pack and 98% without a cold pack and 99% and 99%, respectively, for the CMH kits. R2 values were 0.98, 0.99, 0.99, and 0.99, respectively. Results appeared similar across HbA1c levels and for pediatric and adult participants. Usability survey scores were high. Conclusions: Capillary blood collection kits, suitable for home use, from two academic laboratories, were demonstrated to be easy to use and provided results that are comparable with those obtained from venous specimens. Based on these results, there is strong evidence that HbA1c measurements from capillary specimens obtained with these specific kits can be used interchangeably with HbA1c measurements from venous specimens for clinical research and clinical care.