Objectives: To describe a structured transition model for individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) from pediatric to adult care in a tertiary hospital, and to explore demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with glycemic outcomes. Research Design and Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study including all patients with T1DM who transitioned from the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic to the Adult Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit at Virgen del Rocío University Hospital between 2021 and 2024. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, glucometric, and socioeducational variables were collected at the first adult care visit. Statistical analyses included nonparametric tests and exploratory multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A total of 73 patients (45% female) were included, with a median age of 18 years and median diabetes duration of 9 years. The 46.6% of our cohort had an HbA1c > 7.5%. Overweight and obesity were present in 25% and 8% of patients, respectively, and 11% were active smokers. Eighteen percent were receiving mental health follow-up, mainly for anxiety–depressive disorders. Those using hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery and continuous glucose monitoring achieved significantly better glycemic control (TIR 67% vs. 48%; p 90% of the time and higher maternal educational level were associated with a lower likelihood of HbA1c > 7.5%. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional transition cohort, intensive use of diabetes technology and higher maternal educational level were associated with better glycemic control at the time of transfer to adult care. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating, and warrant confirmation in larger, prospective studies.
Zambrano-Mármol et al. (Tue,) studied this question.