OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between social disadvantage and family composition on diabetes prevalence and diabetes care outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective audit in the south west of England of 801 children with diabetes mellitus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of diabetes in relation to the Townsend index. Admissions to hospital with diabetes related problems, glycated haemoglobin, time spent in hospital, outpatient attendance rates. RESULTS: There was no association between social status and diabetes prevalence. Social deprivation increased the likelihood of admission for hypoglycaemia. Children living with a single parent were more likely to be admitted to hospital with a diabetes related problem and stay in hospital longer. Having either a parent with diabetes or a single parent increased the rates of clinic non-attendance. No association was identified between medium term diabetes control and either social disadvantage or single parent status. CONCLUSIONS: Social disadvantage has no effect on diabetes prevalence and little on diabetes outcome in childhood. Family structure and parental diabetes have adverse effects on some aspects of diabetes outcome.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between social disadvantage and family composition on diabetes prevalence and diabetes care outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective audit in the south west of England of 801 children with diabetes mellitus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of diabetes in relation to the Townsend index. Admissions to hospital with diabetes related problems, glycated haemoglobin, time spent in hospital, outpatient attendance rates. RESULTS: There was no association between social status and diabetes prevalence. Social deprivation increased the likelihood of admission for hypoglycaemia. Children living with a single parent were more likely to be admitted to hospital with a diabetes related problem and stay in hospital longer. Having either a parent with diabetes or a single parent increased the rates of clinic non-attendance. No association was identified between medium term diabetes control and either social disadvantage or single parent status. CONCLUSIONS:Social disadvantage has no effect on diabetes prevalence and little on diabetes outcome in childhood. Family structure and parental diabetes have adverse effects on some aspects of diabetes outcome.
Authors: R E LaPorte; T J Orchard; L H Kuller; D K Wagener; A L Drash; B B Schneider; H A Fishbein Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 1981-09 Impact factor: 4.897