Quality of Life Among School-Age Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ensuring good health and well-being for children requires a high quality of life (QOL). Sustainable development has led to the elimination of many chronic and epidemic diseases. QOL is a multifaceted system encompassing several dimensions, including social, physical, and psychological functioning, which has emerged as a necessary outcome for children with chronic disorders.

This study aimed to understand QOL in Egyptian school-age children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). It examined sociocultural, economic, and healthcare issues faced by these children, revealing unique determinants such as family dynamics and community perceptions in Egypt, which differ from global data.

A cross-sectional study was used at the Hospital of Health Insurance outpatient clinics in Banha, Egypt. A group of healthy peers was compared with another group from the outpatient clinic. 412 school children, ages 6 to 12 years, had T1DM, and 412 healthy peer groups with the same child age and gender, the researchers interviewed. Three tools were used: a demographic data sheet, a socioeconomic scale, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale.

The mean age of children was 12.9 ± 3.2. More than 60% of diabetic children had uncontrolled blood glucose levels, and 60% had poor socioeconomic levels. Children with diabetes had a significantly lower QOL than healthy peers in all dimensions. For the duration of the disease, where emotional function from the QOL was only affected, males revealed significantly higher scores related to school functioning. Children with middle and high socioeconomic status showed a highly significant relationship to school, social, and total QOL.

T1DM had a negative effect on all QOL domains of the school children. The researchers recommended establishing protocols integrated between children's homes, schools, and health insurance hospitals and clinics for providing comprehensive health education.