Patient-Centered Positive Factors Influencing Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in China: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study

Objective: This study aimed to explore the stable longitudinal patient-centered self-protective factors of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: We used both cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets at the Diabetes Education Center and National Endocrine and Metabolism Centre of a university hospital in China from April 2020 to July 2022. Participants were assessed using the Adolescent Diabetic Behavior Rating Scale (DBRS), Diabetes Strengths and Resilience Measure for Adolescents (DSTAR-Teen). HbA1c and other clinical variables were obtained from the medical record at the same time. 266 adolescents (131 male, age 14.1± 3.9 years) completed the cross-sectional assessments and 131 (62 male, age 14.6± 3.3 years) participated in a follow-up at a 1-year visit interval. Results: Logistic regression analysis of cross-sectional data of 266 cases showed that there were significant positive effects between pump treatment ( β =0.090, OR 2.460, P =0.005), DBRS scores ( β =2.593, OR 13.366, P =0.002) and the meeting of standard HbA1c (< 7.5%, 58 mmol/mol). Disease duration ( β =− 0.071, OR 0.932, P =0.033) was negatively correlated with it. The longitudinal multivariate generalized estimation equation model showed that DBRS scores ( β =3.165, OR 23.681, P =0.009) and DSTAR-Teen scores ( β =0.050, OR 1.051, P =0.012) had a positive influence on the meeting of standard HbA1c over one year time of 131 cases. Conclusion: Self-care and resilience had higher cross-temporal stability in influencing glycemic control over time. To reach a better glycemic control and improve long-term health outcomes, attention should be paid to the detection and enhancement of these patient-centered promoters.