Background: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are on intensive treatment regimen with the stress of maintaining normal sugars which may predispose them to psychological problems. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychosocial problems and to study their correlates in children with T1DM in India.
Methods: The study was conducted on 97 T1DM children (59 boys and 38 girls) between 4 and 15 years of age with at least 6 months of illness. Psychosocial problems were assessed using childhood psychopathological measurement schedule (CPMS) questionnaire. Information regarding glucose control and various demographic factors was recorded. Factors significantly associated with psychosocial problems were further analysed using multiple linear regression.
Results: Mean age of patients was 9.6 years. The prevalence of psychosocial problems was found to be 20%. Most common problems were conduct disorders (24.5%), special symptoms (24%), physical illness (23%), anxiety (10%) and depression (7%). Depression had the strongest correlation (r=0.316 and p=0.002) with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), followed by behavioural problems/low intelligence (r=0.236 and p=0.02). CPMS score had a strong positive correlation with number of hyperglycaemic episodes, number of hospitalisations in last 6 months and HbA1c value. HbA1c over last 6 months and total number of hospitalisations were significant independent predictors in determining psychosocial problems.
Conclusions: Psychosocial problems were seen in 20% children with T1DM from India. Poor glycaemic control and increased number of hospitalisations are significantly associated with increased psychosocial problems in T1DM.