Quality of Life and Psychological Screening in Children with Type 1 Diabetes and their Mothers.

This study aimed to assess the levels of depression in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and evaluate the quality of life as well as levels of depression and anxiety of their mothers.30 children with T1DM (mean age: 12.9±2.9 years) and their mothers (mean age: 40.0±7.5 years) were included in the study. Control group consisted of 30 healthy children (mean age: 12.7±2.7 years) and their mothers (mean age: 39.8±7.2 years). The presence and severity of depressive symptoms in the children were evaluated using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). The short form 36-health survey (SF-36), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Spielberg's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered to all mothers.The children with T1DM had higher scores of depression compared to healthy children in the control group. The mothers of children with T1DM had significantly lower scores on all subscales of SF-36 except the bodily pain subscale. We observed a significant difference between groups in their BDI scores; the mean BDI score was higher in mothers of children with T1DM (p=0.004). There was a significant difference in STAI scores between groups. CDI scores positively correlated with the ages of and HgA1C levels in the children with T1DM. There was a positive correlation between CDI scores of children with T1DM and BDI scores of their mothers. In addition, CDI sores negatively correlated with the scores of vitality and social functioning subscales of SF-36.Our findings suggest screening for mental health issues and quality of life in diabetic children and their mothers. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.