The Recognition Study of the Disease by Age in Patients Attending the Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Camp

Keimyung Medical Journal 2013;32(2):147-153.

당뇨 캠프에 참석한 제1형 당뇨병 소아의 연령대별 당뇨병 인식 조사

안영준; 진철; 김흥식; 김지윤; 고철우; 김진경; 김혜숙; 박용훈; 최광해

Abstract

Diabetes in children is a chronic disease that must be controlled by insulin injection; exercise; and a diet control during their entire life time. Therefore it is important to educate these patients to control their blood sugar levels well to live a healthy life. In this research; we tried to understand the effectiveness of diabetes camp by investigating the recognition of diabetes in patients attending the diabetes camp; by surveying their recognition in management of blood sugar levels and knowledge how to deal with hypoglycemic events. 41 patients (13 males; 28 females) with type 1 diabetes who attended the diabetes camp were surveyed with a questionnaire with 24 items about their knowledge of insulin injections; hypoglycemia; management of blood sugar levels in special circumstances; and about their diabetic diet therapy. Among the 36 patients who answered this survey; 31 patients (8 males; 23 females) were analyzed. It showed that the patients attending the diabetes camp had a high awareness about diabetes treatment; glucose checking; and hypoglycemic incidents. Especially upper grade students had statistically significant knowledge about usage of insulin and its effect time. But many did not know what to do in special circumstances as in vomiting or diarrhea (55.6%) as well as what was the HbA1C (44.4%); indicated the need of further education. The psychosocial benefits and knowledge gained by patients attending diabetes camp underline the importance of including a camp in diabetes management plan. To improve patients’ glycemic control; a continuous and individualized education according to age groups is required.

Key Words: Diabetes camp, Glycemic control, Type 1 diabetes