Predictors of Glucose Control in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in Khartoum, Sudan

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a rapidly growing problem in Sudan as well as other African countries. Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes have previously been found to have poor glycemic control. Strict glycemic control reduces the incidence and progression of chronic complications. AIM: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with glycemic control among children and adolescents. METHODS: The study was a health-centre based descriptive cross-sectional study. Data on socioeconomic, demographic, disease history, and diabetes-specific variables was obtained. Glycemic control was assessed by measuring glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C). Linear regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with glycemic control. RESULTS: One hundred Sudanese children with T1DM aged from (1-18) years were recruited for the study (63 % females). Most of the study children (80%) had high random blood glucose levels. Less than half (40%) suffered from the presence of glucose in their urine and one-quarter of them have urine ketones. Also, Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of the study children showed that more than three-quarters (76%) had poor glycemic control. It was found that there is no relationship between nutritional status and glycemic control. However, there is a relationship between socioeconomic status and glycemic control (P = 0.025) CONCLUSION: To improve metabolic control, more frequent BGM should be encouraged among children and adolescents with T1DM. Emphasis needs to be put on providing families with children with diabetes with the medical, financial and social support for better control of their diabetes.