Diabetes in adolescence

Adolescence is the transitional phase of development between childhood and adulthood which incorporates the biological and psychosocial changes of puberty. It imposes unique challenges on the individual with diabetes, their family and the diabetes care team (1,2). Although the majority of adolescents adapt well to the difficult challenges of puberty, it must be recognized that their health care and emotional needs are distinctly different from those of younger children or older adults. Adolescence involves training to become an independent adult and may result in failures and mistakes as well as success. In the context of type 1 diabetes many adolescents experience a deterioration in metabolic control C(3–5) often attributable to erratic meal and exercise patterns C(6,7), poor adherence to treatment regimens C(8–11), hazardous and risk taking behaviours C E(1,2,12,13), eating disorders C(14–18) and endocrine changes associated with puberty, leading to greater insulin resistance B(19). Changes in body habitus, particularly weight gain in females C E(3,5,20–23) can be unwanted diabetes-related side effects, sometimes associated with changes in the tempo of pubertal maturation C(23,24) provoking insulin omission to effect weight loss C(12,16,18). It is therefore recommended E(1,2,25–30) that those providing care for adolescents with diabetes should: Understand the psychosocial and physiological development of adolescence (1,2). This includes the recognition of the need for young people to shift (around the age of 10 years onwards) from “concrete thinking”, with limited abstract capacity for understanding time perspectives or consequences of their actions, into adult cognitive capacity with a more realistic perspective of the future, which is achieved at a variable rate towards late adolescence (31) Recognise that chronic conditions may inhibit some young people from exploring life, while others deliberately explore risk taking behavior involving their diabetes care Develop communication skills (e.g. trusting, authoritative [not authoritarian], allowing adequate time, open questioning, patient-centred, observing non-verbal messages and confidentiality) Understand that attending to the developmental needs of young people may be just as important for quality of life as diabetes specific treatment (32,33) Recognise the intensity of the changing social environment on behavior. Adolescents experience a strong need to fit in and be accepted outside the family - most importantly by peers Acknowledge the emerging differences in lifestyle and changing needs of adolescents. Exploring various life styles is part of identity development and includes experimentation in many domains, most commonly in the company of peers Identify the components of care unique to adolescents Provide planned transition to adult care at the most appropriate time (33). The weighted evidence base supporting these recommendations has been recently reviewed in both the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group guidelines (28) and UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines (30). These needs relate to the following: Over-riding importance of belonging to a peer group and fitting in to the group's social norms and behavior. Diabetes control may not be high on their priority list Experimentation and exploration of different lifestyles which conform less acceptably with family expectations and routines Increasing independence from parental care Expectation for privacy and confidentiality Expectation for the right to consent or to deny consent to medical treatment Pressures of academic achievement and competition Entry into the work force Exposure to smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs Variable sleep patterns with lack of regular routine in day to day activities Different levels of physical activity: sometimes major increases in sporting activity, but for many others, lowered physical activity with greater time spent on computer games, the Internet and television. Difficulties in complying with advice and responding to conventional health education. Optimal care of adolescents with diabetes has not been subjected to rigorous scientific studies and research results are conflicting. However, psycho-educational interventions have been extensively reviewed and conclude that they may have beneficial outcomes but the effects are only modest A(34,35). The beneficial effects are more on psychological outcomes than glycemic control A(35). Suggested care strategies might involve: Developing a trusting relationship between the adolescent and the diabetes care team E(1,30). Adolescents report better self-care when health care professionals are motivating C(1,36) Helping the adolescent to clarify priorities and to set small achievable targets particularly where there is conflict between the needs of diabetes management and the adolescent's social development and peer activities Providing well directed education to help understand the physiological changes of puberty, their effect on insulin dose, difficulties of weight control and dietary regulation Organizing regular screening for early signs of complications to encourage a practical understanding of the options available and the immediate and individual benefits of improved metabolic control C(33,37) Recognizing the emerging maturity of the adolescent, encouraging self-reliance and self-efficacy thus allowing consultations to be increasingly directed towards the adolescent but also retaining the trust and support of parents (38) Helping the adolescent and parents to negotiate new levels of parental involvement in diabetes care tasks (33) Helping parents in their changing role from full responsibility towards a gradual transition to cooperative care with the adolescent. This is based on evidence that parental support and involvement throughout adolescence is associated with better outcomes C E(1,38,39) Identifying and advising on which parenting styles are more likely to be successful than others [see Table 1 and (40,41)] Having an index of suspicion for signs of mental health problems such as depression, eating disorders, “diabetes burnout”, illicit drug use, mental slowness, ADHD and neglectful or abusive family situations. Identifying the need for and effectiveness of specialized psychological counselling in some situations B(42). The HEADS technique (acronym for Home, Education, Activities during spare time, Drugs and Sexual activities) is helpful when screening for psychosocial problems which might interfere with self management E(43) Providing health education, utilizing strategies which promote optimal healthcare behavior [See Guideline Chapters on Psychological Issues and Education]. Although there is consistent evidence that knowledge per se is predictive of better self-care and control this association is weak in adolescence (1). Thus while it is essential that adolescents are provided with information about diabetes and its care, providing this information by conventional education alone may be insufficient to lead them to adopt optimal health care E Encouraging the adolescent to participate with parents and health care team members in making decisions about diabetes management Enabling the adolescent to learn from mistakes without moral judgment Offering a variety of educational opportunities including open-ended adolescent-orientated discussion and negotiation B(44), discussing health-related quality of life issues (45), problem solving, target setting B(42,46), age-appropriate written materials, CDs/videos, text messaging B(47), the use of the internet, peer involvement and group learning. The authoritative parent sets age-appropriate demands respecting the maturity level and developmental needs, carefully explaining reasons for prohibiting certain behaviors and agreeing on strategies for behavior together with the young person in a respectful dialogue. The authoritative parent, however, does not bargain about serious matters and has a clear goal of what is important in the long run. Authoritative parents do not need much support but need medical information. The authoritarian, rigid parent gives orders, puts his/her own ambitions first and does not consider needs and feelings of the child. The rigid and demanding families may need support to develop more adequate parenting individually or in groups. The permissive, lenient parents are highly empathetic who seem to care too much about their children, over-identify themselves with the needs of their children and hate hurting them by getting into conflicts over routines. The neglectful, unconcerned, indifferent parents may have severe mental problems keeping them from understanding and helping their children. Neglectful parents require a careful social work-up to explore the roots of dysfunction. Although no studies have shown clear glycemic benefit from joining diabetes support groups or organized diabetes holidays there is consensus that providing opportunities for recreational learning activities outside the clinic may be of educational value for some adolescents E. Simply meeting people with the same condition and having the opportunity for exchanging ideas may have important therapeutic value E. It is recommended that: Information is available about teenage diabetes camps and activity holidays, support groups, discussion meetings and other recreational activities Promotion of these activities and ensuring that they are safe, well-organized and have adequate medical input, supplies and emergency procedures Information is available on travelling with diabetes (particularly to foreign countries) exercise, sports and high-activity pursuits. Growing up with a chronic condition like diabetes has many effects but commonly metabolic control deteriorates during puberty and the adolescent years. The reasons for this are multiple (see above). In addition to the physiological influences, the health care team should consider the following: socializing with peers is of utmost importance to most adolescents which often conflicts with their capacity to manage diabetes optimally adolescents with diabetes have the same needs for exploration as other young persons but studies have shown that many of them are more vulnerable and subjected to more pressures to conform to peer norms C(32,33) studies demonstrate slightly more involvement in health hazardous behavior in those with chronic conditions C(13,48) adolescents may adopt non-demanding low risk metabolic control by deliberately adjusting their diabetes to a blood glucose level where they do not risk hypo- or hyperglycemia/ketonemia and so do not have their everyday life disturbed by diabetes (49) it may be helpful to negotiate from a cost-benefit stand-point to assist the young person to understand the short and long-term costs of certain behaviors as well as the potential benefits. Severe hypoglycemia may be experienced during adolescence due to poor metabolic control exacerbated by irregularities of lifestyle and risk taking behaviour. It may also occur as a result of embarking on a program of more intensive treatment B(50) although there is evidence that this may be avoided by careful attention to detailed education B(51–53) [see Guideline on Hypoglycemia]. Specific concerns during adolescence include : Development of hypoglycemic unawareness or altered prodromal symptoms. An episode of severe hypoglycemia may lead to a period of altered awareness Fears about hypoglycemia may be associated with poorer metabolic control C(54). Confusion with alcohol intoxication Confusion with illicit drug effects Nocturnal or early morning episodes due to altered sleep patterns The effect of hypoglycemia on driving The effect of hypoglycemia on academic, sports or work performance. Young people should be encouraged to understand the benefits to them of better control. Advice should be given about hypoglycemia to enable adolescents to take positive measures in recognizing, managing and preventing hypoglycemia C(53,55). Adolescents should be encouraged to inform friends about the risks, symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia during the altered routine of social engagements (1). Alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use is a serious concern in some communities during high school years C(56). Advice on alcohol, smoking and drugs should include E: Encouragement to refrain from smoking and binge drinking, and advice on avoiding the dangers of drugs that may affect brain function or lead to dependence or addiction Adopting a realistic advisory approach to alcohol rather than an absolute ban on medical grounds Information on the effects of alcohol, particularly in young adolescents, on the liver by inhibiting gluconeogenesis with the possibility of delayed severe hypoglycemia Methods of avoiding nocturnal hypoglycemia after drinking alcohol in the evening by ingesting carbohydrate while drinking, maintenance of good hydration, measuring blood glucose levels before bedtime and having carbohydrate before sleep to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia Ensuring that adolescents and their friends at parties and events where alcohol is consumed, are aware that hypoglycemia may occur when drinking alcohol without eating; that vomiting, particularly with omission of usual insulin, is dangerous and may be inhaled or lead to ketoacidosis; that hypoglycemia might be confused with intoxication and that it is important to check blood glucose levels before sleep. Providing information for and education of colleagues or friends is increasingly important as the young person develops independence from the family, especially when living away from home at work, college or university. Authoritative but empathic advice about smoking as an additional risk for the vascular complications of diabetes C(57,58) Helping the adolescent who does smoke to stop by providing specific interventions that help with smoking cessation (patch, cognitive-behavioral therapy, prescription drugs etc.) Recognition that cannabis may alter eating habits (excess snacking during and loss of appetite after cannabis smoking) and may reduce motivation to maintain good diabetic control Illicit drugs may alter brain function, increasing the risks of mistakes and mishaps with diabetes management Acknowledgment that a risk reduction policy may be more realistic than an absolute ban on illicit drug experimentation Introduce strategies for managing stress during adolescence other than medication e.g. relaxation training, yoga, psychological evaluation for anxiety or depression, hypnosis, etc. Healthcare professionals should understand that educational messages which are motivating, problem solving, target setting and which encourage adolescents towards developing their own strategies to avoid these problems are more successful than threats or inducing fear E(1,33). There is no reason why a person with diabetes should not hold a driving licence (other than large commercial and passenger vehicles E(59), provided that diabetes is well controlled, there is no visual disability and that the person does not suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness. Regulations vary in different countries. A multinational survey showed that people with type 1 diabetes have more mishaps than those without diabetes C(60) but this is not the information given by all organisations (59,61). Studies have shown reductions in automobile accidents following specific hypoglycemia awareness training programs C(53,55). The young person who plans to obtain a driving licence should be advised on the appropriate regulations and in particular: of hypoglycemia driving (particularly hypoglycemic unawareness is a by blood glucose before to and appropriate Encouraging metabolic control (particularly of which may help a person with diabetes is to hold a driving Severe hypoglycemia in the many to a licence visual There should be no or people with diabetes in the young people with diabetes should good of their to their and Advice on should diabetes about health and encouraging young people to inform potential about diabetes and it is The value of a good medical report from the diabetes care team may that diabetes should not be a in Advice on those which may be to persons with diabetes, e.g. and certain driving large vehicles or These regulations vary between to that young people with diabetes good they have shown and conclude that young people with diabetes should be for the work by attention to self care 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care team should be to the and an of a diabetic should do so with knowledge of to avoid an A planned in a person with diabetes in good metabolic control and in good health risks which are not greater than those in the and have adolescents more aware of particularly the to the and sometimes by to the but on their own less than the and do not the effectiveness of In the to have an effect on metabolic control and and the risks of and especially there is a family of or other vascular with a and reduce these risks but may be more Young people with diabetes on should be particularly blood side effects such as may slightly insulin or are the use of an may be helpful may insufficient for with erratic lifestyles In some there is the possibility of an unwanted it may be beneficial to young people about the of the of and therefore may affect blood glucose control and are more likely to have may be of use when the individual has an erratic is at high risk of and is likely to the are not for no The 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Identifying an adult to for the needs of young with diabetes Providing a adolescent or young adult clinic with members of both together to the transition for both adolescents and their parents between the and adult this should a specific person in the who is to between both to help the transition of the young person into the adult There is evidence that the of a for adolescence has been successful in this role such a person is not of the should take responsibility for with the adult and both groups must have understanding of the with the adolescent and parent well in as to the time for based on their own and but also on the of and in some health care It is to have about age of transition as family and an adolescent's psychosocial maturity Development of plans for transition and of a of the young medical including of the results of screening and information on that may on the person is including a written to understanding between all providing care for the young particularly all members of the diabetes and including the care and where available Ensuring that there is no in care between the and the adult and that the young person is not to care (33). This may occur the young person to or an or in the new and with a specific team The diabetes should have in including a and a to and all young people who to consultations The adult should be encouraged to long and of those who have diabetes as children and adolescents as many studies poor glycemic control and a transitional phase of imposes unique challenges for the individual with diabetes, families and health care The health care needs of adolescents are distinctly different from those of children and Adolescence is often associated with a deterioration in metabolic control due to a variety of physiological and psychosocial care should: understand the physiological and psychosocial developmental changes of adolescence and the unique components of care These include emerging with challenges such as peer group into the and to smoking, alcohol and drugs that chronic like diabetes have the potential to inhibit life but may and experimentation to develop a consistent trusting and motivating relationship with the adolescent develop communication skills to and education for this age group a variety of educational opportunities involving open-ended problem solving, target setting and the use of the need for privacy and confidentiality help to clarify the young priorities and set achievable targets enable the adolescent to learn from mistakes without moral judgment encourage self-reliance and self-efficacy but the trust and support of parents and family regular screening for diabetes complications to encourage an understanding of the need for and immediate benefits of improved metabolic control learn to the signs of mental health problems eating disorders, illicit drug and the need for treatment be to advice on driving and and aware of or influences, counselling on alcohol and and the phase planned transition towards care of the emerging the dangers of in clinic and an risk of