Reducing the Impact of Childhood Hypoglycaemia Evaluation Study v1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Reducing fear of hypoglycaemia in families and Improving metabolic control in Children and adolescents with diabetes (RICHes)

• IRAS ID

  123235

• Contact name

  Deborah Christie

• Contact email

  deborah.christie@uclh.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University College London Hospital

• Research summary

  Poor diabetes control can result in acute difficulties as well as long term complications. UK evidence shows that 82% of 6-10 year olds and 86% of 11-16 year olds with diabetes fail to achieve the required blood sugar target (HbA1c) of less than 7.5%. Very low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia) is the commonest adverse event associated with insulin treatment in T1DM. Children, young people and families can develop fear of hypoglycaemia (FoH) which creates behaviours that result in running their blood sugar higher than recommended by their diabetes treatemtn team. This increases the risks of long term complications, as well as creating acute effects associated with high blood sugar. HbA1c can increase with duration of diabetes therefore it is vital to ensure appropriate practices occur in families of children with diabetes. A UK study reports that the cost of treating diabetes complications is expected to almost double from £7.7 billion currently to £13.5 billion by 2035/36.
  The study will develop and pilot an intervention which reduces FoH in families and improves metabolic control in children and young people with diabetes. We have already developed a clinically succcessful programme which we will adapt using input from children young poeple and their families that currently the UCLH diabetes service. We will then pilot the intervention with a further 32 families to see whether the intervention is acceptable to parents, children and young people. The intervention will consist of a one day workshop which will help a)improve overall metabolic control by reducing worry about hypoglycaemia, b)increase confidence in managing hypoglycaemic episodes and c)improve overall well-being and diabetes management. The pilot of the intervention is being funded by Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRFW).

• REC name

  London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/LO/0883

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 Jun 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion