Caregiver reports of provider recommended frequency of blood glucose monitoring and actual testing frequency for youth with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aims: To identify demographic, family and clinical characteristics associated with provider recommended frequency of blood glucose monitoring (BGM), actual frequency of BGM, and concordance between these categories in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as reported by child's caregiver.

Methods: Caregivers of 390 children 10-17 years were interviewed about their children's providers' recommendations for frequency of BGM and their child's frequency of performance of BGM.

Results: The majority (92%) of caregivers reported being told that their child should BGM ≥4 times per day and 78% reported their child checked that frequently. Caregivers of children who were younger, non-Hispanic White, from two-parent households, higher income households, and on insulin pumps were more likely to report being told by their provider to perform BGM ≥6 times per day and more likely to report that their child performed BGM ≥6 times per day. Younger children and those with private health insurance were more likely to adhere to reported recommendations. Children whose caregivers reported that their child met/exceeded their provider recommendations had lower A1c values than those who did not.

Conclusions: These findings may help clinicians identify subgroups of youth at-risk for poor diabetes management and provide further education in order to improve outcomes.