[Study of the quality of life and adherence to treatment in patients from 2 to 16 years-old with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Andalusia, Spain]. / Estudio de calidad de vida y adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes de 2 a 16 años con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en Andalucía.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus 1 is the second most frequent chronic disease, and the most frequent endocrine-metabolic disorder in childhood. The estimated prevalence is between 1.1 and 1.4 / 1000 children under 15 years years-old. In Andalusia the prevalence is higher (1.7 per thousand). The objective of the study is to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adherence to treatment, specifically in the paediatric population of Andalusia. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional observational analytical study was conducted on a sample of 178 patients from six hospitals with a Paediatric Endocrinology Unit. Each patient received two questionnaires; quality of life (PedsQL version 3.0) and adherence to the self-care recommendations (SCI-R) treatment. The demographic, clinical, metabolic control data, and possible complications were also collected. RESULTS: High levels were obtained in both adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Adherence was inversely related to age and HbA1c. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was associated with the use of a continuous real-time glucose monitoring system (MCG-TR) combined with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), as well as with a lower number of severe hypoglycaemia and renal complications. The mean HbA1c was 7.1%. 12,9% of patients used ISCI. 83.2% used capillary glycemia exclusively, while 16.8% used some interstitial glucose monitoring device. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in Andalusia that analyzes the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of pediatric patients. The results show high levels of adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), as well as good metabolic control.

Prospective Analysis of the Impact of Commercialized Hybrid Closed-Loop System on Glycemic Control, Glycemic Variability, and Patient-Related Outcomes in Children and Adults: A Focus on Superiority Over Predictive Low-Glucose Suspend Technology.

Background: Automatization of insulin delivery by closed-loop systems represents a major step in type 1 diabetes management. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the commercialized hybrid closed-loop system, the MiniMed 670G system, on glycemic control, glycemic variability, and patient satisfaction. Methods: A prospective study, including type 1 diabetes patients consecutively starting on the 670G system in one adult and two pediatric hospitals, was performed. Baseline and 3-month visits were documented. Two weeks of data from the system were downloaded. Glycemic variability measures were calculated. Adults and adolescents completed a set of questionnaires (Gold and Clarke scores, Hypoglycemia Fear Survey, Diabetes Quality of Life [DQoL], Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction [DTS], Diabetes Distress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Results: Fifty-eight patients were included (age: 28 ± 15 years [7-63], <18 years old: 38% [n = 22], 59% [n = 34] females, previous use of SAP-PLGS [predictive low-glucose suspend]: 60% [n = 35]). HbA1c was reduced from 57 ± 10 to 53 ± 7 mmol/L (7.4% ± 0.9% to 7.0% ± 0.6%) (P < 0.001) and time in range 70-180 mg/dL was increased from 63.0% ± 11.4% to 72.7% ± 8.7% (P < 0.001). In patients with high baseline hypoglycemia risk, time <54 and <70 mg/dL were reduced from 0.9% ± 1.1% to 0.45% ± 0.7% (P = 0.021) and from 3.3% ± 2.8% to 2.1% ± 2.1% (P = 0.019), respectively. Glycemic variability measures improved. Time in auto mode was 85% ± 17%, the number of auto mode exits was 0.6 ± 0.3 per day, and the number of alarms was 8.5 ± 3.7 per day. Fear of hypoglycemia, DQoL, DTS, and diabetes distress improved, while the percentage of patients with poor sleep quality was reduced. The discontinuation rate was 3%. Conclusion: The commercialized hybrid closed-loop system improves glycemic control and glycemic variability in children and adults, reducing the burden of living with type 1 diabetes.

Study of direct costs of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Andalusian patients aged 2-16 years. / Estudio de costes directos de la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en pacientes entre 2 y 16 años en Andalucía.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is the second leading chronic disease and the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder in childhood. The study objective was to estimate the direct cost of T1DM in pediatric patients in Andalusia. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, observational, multicenter study was conducted during six consecutive months of 2017-2018 on a sample of 220 patients from 6 hospitals in Andalusia. Variables collected included demographic characteristics, metabolic control parameters, glucose levels, use of continuous monitoring systems, mean HbA1c levels, episodes of severe hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis, comorbidities and complications, as well as direct healthcare costs, including costs of drugs, materials, laboratory tests, and supplemental tests, as well as those derived from both inpatient and outpatient care. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 178 patients. Mean age at diagnosis was 6 years, and mean disease duration was 4.69 (0.29 SD) years. Mean HbA1c level was 7.06%, and 25% of patients had values higher than 7.5%. The estimated annual cost per patient was € 4,720.4. Cost derived from use of insulins (€ 2,212.9) and materials for insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring (€ 1,518) accounted for greatest proportion of cost (79.1%). No association was found between metabolic control, comorbidities, or complications and cost of disease. CONCLUSION: This study has shown a direct cost associated to T1DM in Andalusian children of approximately € 4,700 per patient.

[Increased lipoprotein(a) in a paediatric patient associated with nephrotic syndrome]. / Incremento de lipoproteína(a) en paciente pediátrico asociado a síndrome nefrótico.

A common complication in paediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) is hyperlipidaemia. About 20% of children do not respond to treatment with corticosteroids, presenting with a cortico-resistant NS (CRNS), which can progress to kidney failure. It has been observed that paediatric patients with CRNS have an elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), and triglycerides levels, as well as elevated Lipoprotein-a [Lp (a)] levels. The case is presented of a 5 year old boy, diagnosed with CRNS, presenting with dyslipidaemia with increased LDL-c, Apo-B100, and Lp(a) levels. After the poor prognosis of the renal function, immunosuppressant treatment was started with tacrolimus and atorvastatin to control dyslipidaemia. Although tacrolimus causes an elevation of total cholesterol and LDL-c, the significant alterations of the children lipid profile suggest the existence of a high cardiovascular risk. In these cases, it would be interesting to have reference values in children in our health area.