The Effect of Diabetes Camp on Glycemic Variability in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Glycemic variability can be affected in diabetes camps due to sports, social activity and nutrition. Close glucose monitoring is necessary to reduce glycemic variability; especially hypoglycemia.
Aim: Assessment of glycemic variability and time in range by using flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
METHODS: Method: Children and adolescents between 10-18 years of age who participated in the 2018 diabetes camp were included.
RESULTS: Results: Mean age and duration of diabetes mellitus was 13.3 ± 0.5 and 4.9 ± 0.7 years respectively. Twelve (43 %) of the participants were boy and 16 (57 %) were girl. Ten (35.7 %) of the participants used continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump therapy while 18 (64.3 %) used multiple dose insulin (MDI) therapy.
When participants were evaluated according to TIR (time in range), during the camp while the duration of TIR increased, level 1 and level 2 hyperglycemia decreased. Participants using CSII had spent more time in level 2 hypoglycemia before camp, but during and after the camp similar values reached for both groups. Before camp participants with good metabolic control had longer duration of hypoglycemia than participants with poor metabolic control. During and after the camp level 1 and level 2 hypoglycemia periods were similar between the groups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Conclusion: In diabetes camp, healthy diet, regular exercise, and close glycemic control improve glycemic variability. By using FGMS, normoglycemia periods can be increased without increasing hypoglycemic attacks. As a result, using FGMS had positive effect on diabetes management and controlling hypoglycemia periods during diabetes camp.