A summer vacation from diabetes: evidence from a clinical trial

This study examined the metabolic trend and factors associated with an unexpected rise in HbA1c levels during the summer, with a return to baseline when school resumed, in 40 intensively treated adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Psychosocial data were collected using a variety of diabetes evaluation instruments. HbA1c was measured monthly.

HbA1c values increased by a mean of .73% from May to July and decreased by a mean of .75% from August to October. Lack of consistency in summer routines compared with school days was associated with a worsening in metabolic control during the summer months. Other factors associated with the summer increase in HbA1c included lower guidance scores on the Diabetes Family Behavior Scale, and higher impact and worry scores on the Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth Scale.

Interviews suggested that teenagers need to take a vacation from intensive diabetes care during the summer.