Predictors of Parental Interest in Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Optimal control of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children minimizes long-term complications, but increases hypoglycemic events. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can provide real-time information about glucose levels and trends. Little has been published on the characteristics of patients most willing to use CGM. Methods: Online survey software was utilized to administer a 50-item questionnaire to parents of children with T1D. The primary outcome was whether the parent expressed a high level of interest in CGM. The proportion of parents who expressed a high level of interest was compared across demographic and clinical variables via x(2) tests (alpha = 0.05). Results: Analysis was performed on 457 surveys. The mean +/-SD age of the children was 10+/-4.1 years. Mean reported hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was 7.8+/-1.3%. Of the respondents, 70% used continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Parents reported an average of eight blood glucose (BG) checks daily. Over 90% of the parents indicated a high level of interest in having their child use a CGM. Primary variables related to interest in a CGM were use of CSII (P = 0.002), checking BG more than six times daily (P = 0.005), and parental worry about high or low BG (P = 0.0012 and P = 0.02, respectively). Age of the child and HbA1c were not related to parental interest in a CGM. Conclusions: Overall parental interest in CGM was high. Use of CSII, frequent BG checks, and parental worry, but not age of the child or diabetes control, were associated with parental interest in using a CGM.