Management of Type I Diabetes Mellitus at a Rural Paediatric Diabetes Clinic

Abstract

Objective

Australia currently lacks a standardised paediatric diabetes care model. This study explores the model of care and outcomes of paediatric Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) at a rural multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes clinic.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Design

A single centre quantitative study.

Setting

A rural multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes clinic.

Participants

Patients under 19 years old with a T1D diagnosis who attended the paediatric diabetes clinic for at least 12 months.

Main Outcome Measures

Baseline demographics, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, time in range, clinic appointment adherence, and diabetes-related hospitalisations over a 12-month period from October 2021 to September 2022.

Results

Fifty-two patients, with a median age of 13.5 (IQR 7) years and 58% females, were included. Of the patients, 40% lived more than 50 km away from the diabetes clinic, 73% were on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, and 92% used continuous glucose monitoring. The median HbA1c was 8.3% (67 mmol/mol), with four patients (8%) achieving the international target HbA1c level of less than 7.0% (53 mmol/mol). The CGM users' average time in range was 54%. A total of 29 patients (56%) attended all annual clinic reviews. Six patients (12%) were hospitalised for diabetes-related complications.

Conclusion

Paediatric T1D managed in a rural multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes clinic, with experienced local clinicians and support from a tertiary centre, can attain outcomes in glycaemic control, clinic attendance, and diabetes-related hospitalisation comparable to those of large Australian metropolitan clinics. However, glycaemic outcomes remain suboptimal when compared to international standards.