Impact of a pioneer diabetes camp experience on glycemic control among children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa

Mesmin Y Dehayem, Rémy Takogue, Siméon-Pierre Choukem, Olivier T S Donfack, Jean-Claude Katte, Suzanne Sap, Eugène Sobngwi, Jean-Claude Mbanya, Mesmin Y Dehayem, Rémy Takogue, Siméon-Pierre Choukem, Olivier T S Donfack, Jean-Claude Katte, Suzanne Sap, Eugène Sobngwi, Jean-Claude Mbanya

Abstract

Background: The metabolic impact of participating in a diabetes camp is little known among children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess the changes in glycemic control and insulin doses in a group of children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes in Cameroon during and after camp attendance.

Methods: During a 5-day camp, we collected data on insulin doses, HbA1c, weight and blood glucose at least six times per day in a group of children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes. We compared the evolution of these parameters 3 and 12 months after camp.

Results: Thirty-two campers completed the study. The mean age was 19 ± 2 years and the median duration of diabetes was 2 [IQR: 1.8-5] years. The mean HbA1c was 7.9 ± 2.2 % and the mean insulin dose was 49 ± 20 units/day upon arrival at camp. HbA1c dropped by 0.6 % after 12 months (p = 0.029). Despite the significant (p = 0.04) reduction in insulin dose from 49 ± 20 to 44 ± 18 units/day at the end of camp, hypoglycemic episodes occurred in 26 campers. However, the mean number of hypoglycemic episodes reduced from 1.32 (range: 0-4) on the first day, to 0.54 (range: 0-2) on the last day of camp (p = 0.006). Weight increased by 6 kg (p = 0.028) between 3 and 12 months after camp, but insulin doses remained unchanged.

Conclusions: Attending camp for children and adolescents living with diabetes is associated with a significant decrease in HbA1c twelve months after camp without changes in insulin doses. Including camps as an integral part of type 1 diabetes management in children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa may yield some benefits.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02632032 . Registered 4 December 2015.

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Source: PubMed

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