Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Italian Youths with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Psychological problems and low quality of life (QoL) in children with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) were reported as correlated with T1DM. This study wants to test if the prevalence of anxiety and depression is higher in young patients with T1DM than in controls, if the level of QoL is lower and if anxiety and QoL correlate with glyco-metabolic control. Methods: A total of 100 children with T1DM, aged 8-13 years, were recruited and 114 healthy children were recruited as controls. All children with T1DM were receiving a routine psychological support. Patients and controls underwent three questionnaires [the Self Administrated Psychiatric Scale Scales for Children and Adolescents (SAFA), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)]. Diabetes-related, physical and socio-demographic parameters were also collected. Results: SAFA, CDI and PedsQL mean score were not statistically different in T1DM and in control group. Just the "separation anxiety" scale showed significantly higher mean score in the T1DM than in the control group (43.77 +/- 10.34 vs. 23.11 +/- 18.25, p<0.01). A significant correlation between QoL and metabolic control (HbA1c) (r=0.21, p<0.05) was found. HbA1c increased with the mother's education (r=0.42, p<0.05) and occupation level (r=0.35, p<0.05), and with the number of siblings (r=0.20, p<0.05). Conclusions: T1DM is not a condition promoting per se more psychological discomfort even if a higher level of separation anxiety was shown. Interestingly, a higher level of self-perceived QoL was associated with worse glycometabolic control.