Objectives
Mutations in KCNJ11 are the most common cause of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM). Approximately 25% of patients have obvious neurological dysfunction, but whether milder related problems might be more common has been unclear. We sought to assess the prevalence of parental concerns about learning, behavior, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), social competency, and sleep in subjects with KCNJ11-related NDM compared to unaffected sibling controls.
Study design
Subjects or their guardians in the University of Chicago Monogenic Diabetes Registry completed a survey examining learning, behavior, ADHD and sleep. 30 subjects with KCNJ11-related NDM and 25 unaffected sibling controls were assessed. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 6. Nonparametric analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test for group comparisons.
Results
13 (43%) individuals with KCNJ11-related NDM had treatment for or a diagnosis of ADHD compared to 2 (8%) of the sibling controls (p<0.05). Compared to their sibling controls, individuals with KCNJ11 mutations had significant differences in behavior difficulties, social awareness, academic achievement and the need for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). As seen in other neurodevelopmental disorders, individuals with KCNJ11 mutations also had significantly higher rates of sleep difficulties (p<0.01).
Conclusion
Patients with KCNJ11-related NDM are at an increased risk for delays in learning, social-emotional and behavioral development, ADHD and sleep difficulties based on parent report. Early identification, along with integrated medical and developmental support, may promote better neurodevelopmental outcomes for this unique population. Further investigation utilizing detailed neuropsychological testing will better define the neurodevelopmental consequences of KATP mutations.
Some diabetes clinicians may benefit from tailored interventions and additional time and resources to empower them to help facilitate increased uptake of CGM technology.
In our cohort of KCNJ11-related permanent NDM, hypoglycemia is infrequent and mild despite the high doses of sulfonylurea used and near-normal level of glycemic control. Long-term follow-up on larger numbers will be required to clarify the incidence and determinants of hypoglycemia in this unique population.
Background: Cost is a major consideration in the uptake and continued use of diabetes technology. With increasing use of automated insulin delivery systems, it is important to understand the specific cost-related barriers to technology adoption. In this qualitative analysis, we were interested in understanding and examining the decisionmaking process around cost and diabetes technology use. Materials and Methods: Four raters coded transcripts of four stakeholder groups using inductive coding for each stakeholder group to establish relevant themes/nodes. We applied the Social Ecological Model in the interpretation of five thematic levels of cost. Results: We identified five thematic levels of cost: policy, organizational, insurance, interpersonal and individual. Equitable diabetes technology access was an important policy-level theme. The insurance-level theme had multiple subthemes which predominantly carried a negative valence. Participants also emphasized the psychosocial burden of cost specifically identifying diabetes costs to their families, the guilt of diabetes related costs, and frustration in the time and involvement required to ensure insurance coverage.
Conclusion:We found broad consensus in how cost is experienced by stakeholder groups. Cost considerations for diabetes technology uptake extended beyond finances to include time, cost to society, morality and interpersonal relationships. Cost also reflected an important moral principle tied to the shared desire for equitable access to diabetes technology. Knowledge of these considerations can help clinicians and researchers promote equitable device uptake while anticipating barriers for all persons living with type 1 diabetes and their families. K E Y W O R D S qualitative research, automated insulin delivery, diabetes technology, psychosocial barriers 2 of 15 | ADDALA et AL.
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