Socioeconomic deprivation, household education, and employment are associated with increased hospital admissions and poor glycemic control in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic deprivation, obesity, and emotional discomfort are important determinants of health inequalities and poor glycemic control in children and young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of hospital admissions of T1D children in relation to socioeconomic deprivation, and to determine the effects of social deprivation, body mass index (BMI), and patient-reported emotional well-being on glycemic control. METHODS: All hospital admissions of T1D patients aged 1-18 years were identified during 2007 and 2012. Admission cause and glycemic control were related to social deprivation, BMI, and psychological, emotional well-being. Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 were applied to the United Kingdom data. The associations were calculated using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between hospital admission rates and overall deprivation scores (r = -0.18, p = 0.04). Patients living in deprived areas were more likely to selfpresent to the accident and emergency department (r = - 0.24, p = 0.02). Poor glycemic control (n = 124) was significantly associated with lower levels of education (r = -0.22, p = 0.02) and unemployment (r = -0.19, p = 0.04). Significance was not reached for level of income (r = -0.16, p = 0.07) and overall deprivation (r = -0.17, p = 0.06). Glycemic control was not found to be associated with BMI, standard deviation scores (SDS), or emotional well-being. CONCLUSION: Early intervention and education from primary care and specialist diabetes teams within the community in deprived areas may be effective in reducing hospital admissions for diabetes-related problems and improving glycemic control.