N. Tubianarufi et al., RISK-FACTORS FOR POOR GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN DIABETIC CHILDREN IN FRANCE- IMMIGRANT VERSUS NONIMMIGRANT MOTHERS, Diabetes care, 18(11), 1995, pp. 1479-1482
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Endocrynology & Metabolism","Medicine, General & Internal
OBJECTIVE - To test whether immigrant versus nonimmigrant origin, amon
g others factors, is associated with differences in glycemic control i
n diabetic children. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A cross-sectional m
ulticenter survey was performed in 165 French diabetic children aged 7
-13 years and their parents. HbA(1c) was measured by high-performance
liquid chromatography in a single laboratory (reference value. 5.1 +/-
0.6%). Standardized questionnaires were used to evaluate cognitive, f
amilial, and socioeconomic factors and adherence to diabetes regimen.
RESULTS - The mother's place of birth was found to account for 6.6% of
the HbA(1c) variance. Two groups of children were identified with Fre
nch-speaking immigrant (n = 27) and native French mothers (n = 138) wh
o had significantly different HbA(1c) values of 9.1 +/- 8% vs. 8.1 +/-
1.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). Adherence to diabetes treatment was s
ignificantly lower in immigrant mothers for diet and insulin changes (
P < 0.01), as well as their level of diabetes knowledge (P < 0.01). Th
is immigrant group had no significant differences in parents' socioeco
nomic status, educational. background, family status, family functioni
ng, diabetes education background, and social support compared with th
e native French mothers' group. CONCLUSIONS - Despite no differences i
n socioeconomic status, a group of children with less well-controlled
diabetes was identified by the mother's place of birth. Cultural facto
rs have a crucial importance in glycemic control in diabetic children
and in parents' adherence to treatment and must be taken into account
in the development of educational programs.