A summer vacation from diabetes: Evidence from a clinical trial

PURPOSE This study examined the metabolic trend and factors associated with an unex pected rise in HbA(1c) levels during the summer, with a return to baseline when school resumed, in 40 intensively treated adolescents with type 1 diab etes. METHODS Psychosocial data were collected using a variety of diabetes evaluation ins truments. HbA(1c) was measured monthly. RESULTS HbA(1c) values increased by a mean of .73% front May to July and decreased by a mean of .75% from August to October. Lack of consistency in summer rou tines compared with school days was associated with a worsening in metaboli c control during the summer months. Other factors associated with the summe r increase in HbA(1c) 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. CONCLUSIONS Interviews suggested that teenagers need to take a vacation from intensive diabetes care during the summer.