IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH DIABETES

Adolescents with diabetes achieve poorer gylcemic control than adults do. To address the challenge of optimizing glycemic control in adolescents, investigators in Boston randomized 299 children with Type I diabetes to receive 1 of 3 interventions: standard care, care coordinated by a case manager, or case manager care plus educational modules. The education modules included the case manager encouraging family discussion about 8 diabetes-related topics at the end of each visit and provided families with written materials to take home. 

During the 2-year follow-up children in the case manager care plus educational modules had significantly fewer severe hypoglycemic events and fewer hospitalizations that did those in the other two groups.

Interventions that include a case manager plus educational materials for families might improve long-term health outcomes of children with diabetes. Such interventions also might improve the health status of children with other complex chronic diseases.

Reference:

Svoren BM, Butler D, Levine BS, Anderson BJ, Laffel LM. Reducing acute adverse outcomes in youths with Type I diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics 112; October 2003; p. 914-922.

Source: Howard Bauchner, MD, Journal Watch; 23(22); November 15, 2003;p.178.

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