The relationship among heart health attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and HbA1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Abstract

Background: Type 1 Diabetes is important chronic health problem that incidence increasing between the ages of 4-6 and 10-15, has multi-dimensional etiological factors. Cardiovascular diseases may develop due to diabetes and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Diabetes cause deterioration of vascular structure, and sudden onset of heart disease through various pathophysiological mechanisms. Controlling factors, especially diabetes management, is very important in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between heart health attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and HbA1c levels in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

Methods: The study included 10-15-year-old adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes treated in pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic provided they met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Adolescents' heart health attitudes were evaluated with the cardiovascular health promotion attitude scale for children. HbA1c levels and socioeconomic characteristics of the adolescents were recorded.

Results: The independent predictors of the group with favorable heart health attitudes were exercise duration, meal frequency, low economic status, and HbA1c levels. HbA1c levels were positively associated with nutrition, exercise, sedentary life, and smoking subscale scores as well as total scale scores. However, it was not associated with the scores of self-love and stress subscales. Low self-love and stress subscale scores were independent predictors of low economic status and explain why low economic status is a predictor of favorable heart health attitudes.

Conclusions: The cardiovascular health promotion attitude scale scores are associated with HbA1c levels, which is a predictor of increased cardiovascular diseases. This predictive ability of the scale makes its use meaningful.