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Published on: June 11, 2012

Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial comparing hospital versus home-based care

Irén Tiberg1, Steen Carlsson Katarina, Annelie Carlsson

  • 1Department of Health Sciences and The Swedish Institute for Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. iren.tiberg@med.lu.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|July 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Hospital-based home care (HBHC) is as safe and effective as traditional hospital care for children with type 1 diabetes. This approach improves parental satisfaction and reduces healthcare resource use, offering a viable alternative for stable patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Health Services Research
  • Diabetes Management

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes management in children requires effective care strategies.
  • Hospital-based care is a standard approach, but alternatives are being explored.
  • Hospital-based home care (HBHC) offers specialist care in a home setting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and safety of hospital-based care versus HBHC for children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.
  • To evaluate metabolic control, family well-being, and healthcare resource utilization.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Sweden with 60 children (aged 3-15 years).
  • Participants received initial hospital-based care, followed by randomization to either continued hospital care or HBHC.
  • Outcomes assessed at 6 months included metabolic control, family situation, and healthcare resource use.

Main Results:

  • Equivalence was observed between HBHC and hospital care regarding metabolic control and insulin dosage.
  • Parents in the HBHC group reported higher satisfaction and lower subsequent healthcare resource use.
  • Psychosocial distress at diagnosis correlated with resource use, not metabolic control.

Conclusions:

  • Hospital-based home care (HBHC) is a safe and effective alternative to hospital-based care for medically stable children with new-onset type 1 diabetes.
  • HBHC enhances parental satisfaction and optimizes healthcare resource utilization.
  • The findings support HBHC as a valuable care model in pediatric diabetes management.
Abstract

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