Raising the Cut-Off Level of Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies to Detect Celiac Disease Reduces the Number of Small Bowel Biopsies in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the optimal cut-off value for anti-tissue transglutaminase type 2 IgA antibodies (TG2A) in serum to select for diagnostic small bowel biopsies for celiac disease in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. STUDY DESIGN: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus with elevated TG2A titers and duodenal biopsies performed during the course of their diabetes treatment were included. Anti-endomysial antibodies were recorded if present. The optimal TG2A cut-off value, expressed as the ratio between obtained value and upper limit of normal (ULN), was determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and compared with the cut-off value used in the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. RESULTS: We included 63 children. The optimal cut-off value for performing biopsies is demonstrated to be 11 times the ULN. Raising the cut-off value from 3 times the ULN to 11 times the ULN changed sensitivity from 96% to 87% and increased specificity from 36% to 73%, increased the positive predictive value from 88% to 94% and lowered negative predictive value from 67% to 53%. The percentage of normal histology was decreased from 12% to 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the TG2A cut-off value for performing duodenal biopsies in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and suspected celiac disease leads to a substantial reduction of unnecessary biopsies. We advocate to adapt the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition 2012 guidelines for this group of children, including monitoring patients with TG2A levels of less than 11 times the ULN over time.

Follow-up results on monitoring and discussing health-related quality of life in adolescent diabetes care: benefits do not sustain in routine practice.

OBJECTIVE: We previously demonstrated that adding monitoring and discussion of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents with type 1 diabetes to routine periodic consultations positively impacts psychosocial well-being and satisfaction with care. The current study examines whether these positive effects are maintained 1 year after the intervention was terminated and patients received regular care again, with no formal HRQoL assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one adolescents with type 1 diabetes were followed for 1 year after the initial HRQoL intervention, in which their HRQoL had been assessed and discussed as part of period consultations using the PedsQL. Changes in physical and psychosocial well-being [Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87 (CHQ-CF87), diabetes family conflict scale (DFCS), Center for Epidemiological Studies scale for Depression (CES-D)], satisfaction with care [Patients' Evaluation of the Quality of Diabetes (PEQ-D) care], and glycemic control (HbA(1c)) were determined 12 months after the HRQoL intervention had ended. RESULTS: One year after the HRQoL intervention, mean scores on CHQ subscales: behavior (p = 0.001), mental health (p = 0.004), and self-esteem (p < 0.001) had decreased, whereas the family activities subscale remained stable. Adolescents were less satisfied with their care (p = 0.012), and HbA(1c) values had increased significantly 12 months postintervention (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effects of an office-based HRQoL intervention in adolescents with diabetes largely disappear 1 year after withdrawing the HRQoL assessment procedure. This finding underscores the importance of integrating standardized evaluation and discussion of HRQoL in routine care for adolescents with diabetes.

Monitoring and discussing health-related quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes improve psychosocial well-being: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of monitoring and discussing of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Four centers were randomly assigned to the HRQoL intervention (46 adolescents) or control (45 adolescents) group, with three regular visits scheduled within 12 months in both groups. In the HRQoL intervention group, HRQoL of adolescents was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and outcomes were discussed face-to-face during the consultation. The control group received care as usual. Mean differences between the groups at 12 months in physical and psychosocial well-being (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ]-CF87/PF50, Diabetes-Specific Family Conflict Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Scale for Depression), satisfaction with care (Patients' Evaluation of the Quality of Diabetes Care), and A1C were determined, controlling for baseline scores. RESULTS: Mean scores on the CHQ subscales of psychosocial health (P < 0.001), behavior (P < 0.001), mental health (P < 0.001), and family activities (P < 0.001) improved in the HRQoL intervention group, except for adolescents with the highest A1C values. Adolescents in the HRQoL intervention group reported higher self-esteem (CHQ) at follow-up (P = 0.016), regardless of A1C, and were more satisfied with care (P = 0.009) than control subjects. No significant differences between the two groups over time were observed in A1C levels. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic monitoring and discussion of HRQoL in adolescents with diabetes is appreciated and has positive effects on their psychosocial well-being, except for those in poorest control.

Self-report and parent-report of physical and psychosocial well-being in Dutch adolescents with type 1 diabetes in relation to glycemic control.

BACKGROUND: To determine physical and psychosocial well-being of adolescents with type 1 diabetes by self-report and parent report and to explore associations with glycemic control and other clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: Demographic, medical and psychosocial data were gathered from 4 participating outpatient pediatric diabetes clinics in the Netherlands. Ninety-one patients completed the Child Health Questionnaire-CF87 (CHQ-CF87), Centre for Epidemiological Studies scale for Depression (CES-D), and the DFCS (Diabetes-specific Family Conflict Scale). Parents completed the CHQ-PF50, CES-D and the DFCS. RESULTS: Mean age was 14.9 years (+/- 1.1), mean HbA1c 8.8% (+/- 1.7; 6.2-15.0%). Compared to healthy controls, patients scored lower on CHQ subscales role functioning-physical and general health. Parents reported less favorable scores on the behavior subscale than adolescents. Fewer diabetes-specific family conflicts were associated with better psychosocial well-being and less depressive symptoms. Living in a one-parent family, being member of an ethnic minority and reporting lower well-being were all associated with higher HbA1c values. CONCLUSION: Overall, adolescents with type 1 diabetes report optimal well-being and parent report is in accordance with these findings. Poor glycemic control is common, with single-parent families and ethnic minorities particularly at risk. High HbA1c values are related to lower social and family functioning.