Factors influencing the diabetes-specific health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association of the anthropometric, clinical variables and maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) with diabetes-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to find the predictors of HRQoL and blood glucose control. A total of 239 youths with diabetes (124 boys and 115 girls) were recruited from diabetes-based summer camps. HRQoL assessment was carried out with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 3.0 Diabetes Module (Information Resources Centre, Mapi Research Trust, France); Vo2max was evaluated by conducting the 20-m shuttle run test. Higher Vo2max and the insulin pump therapy were significant predictors of the HRQoL in the multiple regression analysis; other clinical and anthropometric variables had no effect. The better blood glucose control was explained only by the higher Vo2max. The good cardiorespiratory fitness (expressed by Vo2max) has clinical and QoL benefits for paediatric patients with T1DM.