Nathalia K D Libera

Conference 2022 Poster Presentation

 

Project title

A medical and psycho-emotional view on type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood: A literature review

 

Authors and Affiliations

Nathalia Kaminski Della Libera1, Aline Vargas Assmann2, Helena Schmidt3, Ana Carolina Grande4,Gabriela Ferreira Kalkmann5, Rafaela Ferreira Melli6

1.Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Meridional IMED, Passo Fundo, Brasil.
2.Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
3.Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brasil.
4. Departamento de Medicina, Centro Universitário Assis Gurgacz, Cascavel, Brasil.
5. Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brasil.
6. Departamento de Medicina, Centro Universitário Atenas, Paracatu, Brasil.

 

Abstract

Background

The worldwide incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in children and adolescents under the age of 15 years grows by 3% annually. This group affected by this chronic disease needs greater care, requiring well-founded family support together with a multidisciplinary health team. Objective: Describe the psycho-emotional characteristics of children diagnosed with DM1.

Methods

Systematic literature review, using PUBMED, SCIELO, LILACS and Academic Google databases; using the terms “diabetes mellitus”, “type 1 diabetes mellitus”, “pediatric”, “children” and “adolescents”, “children’s Health”, “salud Infantil” and “benestar del Niño” 8845 results were found. Original studies in Portuguese, English and Spanish were included, focusing on the analysis of psycho-emotional aspects of pediatric patients with DM1. Six articles were eligible, with a time frame between 2019 and 2021.

Results

The DM1 diagnosis is a triggering factor of acute psychological distress in children and adolescents, being accompanied by multiple changes in daily life. Changes in the eating routine, with sudden restriction of carbohydrates, constitute the greatest difficulty in adapting to the new lifestyle. Daily insulin therapy for the DM1 management also has psychological consequences, as it is a constant reminder of the disease. Although the implementation of these intermediate care measures may initially cause discomfort, its adherence is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality and increase the quality of life of patients. Finally, the difficulty for self-monitoring of blood glucose stands out, especially in environments with fewer resources.

Conclusions

As DM1 is a chronic condition that requires longitudinal follow-up, its diagnosis is often a triggering factor for psychosocial problems in the patient. Thus, it is essential both the involvement of the family in the patient’s support system and the Primary Health Care.

 


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