There is evidence that glycaemic control deteriorates during adolescence and there is an increased risk of admission to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis. In addition the early signs of microvascular complications of diabetes may begin to appear in those who have had a significant duration of diabetes.

 

References:

Diabetes UK - Info for teens

Diabetes UK - Type 1 Uncut - Videos and info made by and for young adults with Type 1 diabetes

 

Aims of Diabetes Care during Adolescence

  • Promotion of physical and psychological well being
  • Normal growth and development
  • Avoidance of diabetes related hospitalisation
  • Achievement of glycaemic control to limit the risk of long term microvascular
  • Person centred care with individualised targets aiming for lowest achievable HbA1c
  • Regular screening (annually) for the detection of complications ie urinary microalbumin excretion, blood pressure, and retinal examination.
  • Integration into the school, social and working life of people in their age group
  • Smooth transition from paediatric to adult diabetes services

 

Insulin Regimens

  • Once daily insulin regimens are not appropriate for teenagers and young adults as they can neither achieve the degree of glycaemic control necessary to prevent long term complications, nor the flexibility to accommodate a busy teenage lifestyle.
  • Some teenagers manage with twice daily injections of premixed soluble and isophane insulins prior to breakfast and the evening meal.
  • Use of intensive insulin therapy, either multiple daily injections or insulin via continuous subcutaneous infusion (insulin pump) is the preferred regimen. Using this more intensive insulin programme along with more careful matching of insulin dose to carbohydrate (carbohydrate counting) allows greater freedom in the timing and quantity of meals and the spontaneity to join in sport and other activities.
  • Increasing numbers of young people with diabetes are treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (insulin pumps)

 

Monitoring

  • Home blood glucose monitoring is the method of choice
  • Young people with diabetes are encouraged to carry out blood glucose checks at least 4 times a day both those on injections and insulin pump therapy. For those using intensive insulin regimens this may require very frequent monitoring (at least 4 tests per day). There is software available to download blood glucose meters in the out-patient clinic –this can be a valuable teaching tool.
  • All young people with diabetes should be able to check for ketones using either urine ketone test or blood ketone meter.
  • CGMS should be offered according to NICE guidance.

 

Life-style issues

 

School/College

Young people with diabetes should not have to miss more school, apart from visits to the clinic, than anyone else. They can undertake all normal activities and their academic and sporting achievements should not be limited. Diabetes UK provides information material for teachers, which may be obtained from the Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurses.

 

Sport

Many young people with diabetes enjoy sport and some participate at a highly competitive level. With careful planning and monitoring of blood glucose levels, insulin doses and food, sporting performance can be optimised. For further information visit www.runsweet.com

 

Sexual Health

  • Women with type 1 diabetes are able to conceive and have a pregnancy with a healthy baby
  • Contraception and pregnancy should be routinely discussed because of the adverse effect of poor glycaemic control on fetal development.
  • Young people with diabetes run the same risk of sexually transmitted infections
  • It is important to optimise glycaemic control prior to becoming pregnant to ensure the best health outcomes for both mother and baby.
  • Unplanned pregnancy can be associated with major problems – including difficulties in controlling diabetes and serious complications in fetal development
  • Counselling and contraceptive advice is available to those attending the Young Adult Clinic.

         For further information visit- www.fpa.org.uk 

 

Driving

 

Alcohol

  • Most young people with diabetes use alcohol to the same extent as their peers and this can have serious consequences
  • Alcohol consumption is also a major contributing factor towards hypoglycaemia
  • Alcohol excess in the longer term can lead to weight gain and deterioration in glycaemic control
  • Alcohol excess is one of the common causes of ketoacidosis in this age group
  • Information about the effects of alcohol on blood glucose levels should be given along with sensible advice regarding moderate and safe consumption

 

Recreational drugs

  • Use of recreational drugs is illegal
  • Use of illicit drugs by young people with diabetes may result in potentially serious adverse metabolic consequences eg ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycaemia.
  • Ecstasy has been associated with severe dehydration and the development of ketoacidosis.
  • For further useful information visit: www.talktofrank.com

 

 

Other Activities

Many young people with diabetes respond well to the opportunity to meet socially to develop their own support structures. The Youth Diabetes (YD) Project started in 1983 and provides a nationwide network of young people to meet and share experiences of diabetes.

 

Events include:

  • Circle D
  • Tay Teens
  • Just DUK IT resources

Further information can be obtained from http://www.diabetes.org.uk/mylife-youngadults

or from the local Diabetes team.

 

Back to the topBack to the top of this page

Transition from Children’s to Adult Diabetes Services

 

Recommendations for the transition of care in Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes: diagnosis and management of Type 1 diabetes in Children and young people, National collaborating centre for women’s and children’s health Commissioned by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

NICE guidelines contain the following recommendations about transition of care in adolescence

  • Young people with Type 1 diabetes should be encouraged to attend clinics on a regular basis (three or four times per year) because regular attendance is associated with good glycaemic control.
  • Young people with Type 1 diabetes should be allowed sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the practicalities of the transition from paediatric to adult services because this has been shown to improve clinic attendance.
  • Specific local protocols should be agreed for transferring young people with Type 1 diabetes from paediatric to adult services (see Tayside Transition Arrangements for Managing the Transition from Children’s to Young Adult/Adult Diabetes Services)
  • The age of transfer to the adult service should depend on the individual’s physical development and emotional maturity, and local circumstances.
  • Transition from the paediatric service should occur at a time of relative stability in the individual’s health and should be coordinated with other life transitions.
  • Paediatric diabetes care teams should organise age-banded clinics for young people and young adults jointly with their adult specialty colleagues.
  • Young people with Type 1 diabetes who are preparing for transition to adult services should be informed that some aspects of diabetes care will change at transition. The main changes relate to targets for short-term glycaemic control and screening for complications.

 

Transition Services in Tayside

Clinic services for young people with diabetes are organised slightly differently across Tayside and North East Fife.

  • The age of transfer between services will depend on the individual’s physical development, emotional maturity and local circumstances.
  • Each patient will require to be assessed on an individual basis to consider his or her readiness to transfer from one service to another.
  • The patient’s views should be sought and taken into account when making a decision.
  • The importance of maintaining contact with this group of vulnerable young people with diabetes cannot be underestimated – the need for all staff involved in their care to take a flexible approach is important and maintaining close links between paediatric and adult services essential.

 

Age Range Clinic Staff Ongoing Responsibility
0-18*

Children’s

  • Annual review clinic -Monday (1st,2nd,4th and 5th) 11.30-4 pm, Ninewells Hospital
  • 1st Wednesday of the month 9am – 5pm, Perth Royal Infirmary
  • 4th Thursday of every month 1.30 – 4.30 pm, Arbroath Infrimary
  • 2nd Tuesday of alternate months 9 am – 1 pm, Links Health Centre, Montrose
  • 4th Wednesday of the month 1-5pm, St Andrew’s Community Hospital – nurse led clinic.
  • Every Tuesday 9.30-12.30 pm –Ninewells Hospital
  • 2nd Wednesday of the 1.30-5pm , St Andrews Community Hospital
 Paediatrics Paediatrics
16-18*

Teenager Clinic – Dundee Only

  • Every 3rd Monday of the month at Ninewells. Joint paediatric/adult clinic alternate months
 Paediatrics / adult Paediatrics
18-25*

Young Adults

  • 3rd Wednesday of the month 4.30-6.30pm, Ninewells Hospital
  • Thursday (two-monthly) 4-6pm, Perth Royal Infirmary
  • Patients seen within adult diabetes clinics in Angus
    • Monday afternoon twice per month Arbroath Infirmary
    • 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 9am-12pm, Forfar
    • 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 9am-12pm, Montrose Royal Infirmary
    • 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9am-12pm, Stratcathro Hospital
  • Patients seen within adult diabetes clinics in St Andrew’s
    • Wednesday pm (monthly), St Andrews Community Hospital

Adult with Paediatric input at transition** for discussion

 

 Adult
25***

General Adult Diabetes Clinic

 Adult Adult

*  

* Newly diagnosed patients aged 16 – 18 years should go directly to the Young Adult Clinic (Dundee and Perth) or General Adult Diabetes Clinics (Angus and St Andrew’s). Those newly diagnosed, who present in Diabetic ketoacdisosis under age of 18 years should be sent into paediatrics for emergency management.  Communication between the Adult and Paediatric service is essential to ensure appropriate care is provided according to the needs of each individual patient.

 

**         Paediatric staff (medical and nursing) will accompany all patients transferring to the Young Adult Clinic/General Adult Diabetes Clinics to their first appointment to facilitate “hand over” and ensure a smooth transition. 

***Flexible

  • In Dundee this will be approximately every 3 or 4 months at the Young Adult Clinic.
  • In Perth with the smaller numbers transferring the timing will need to be agreed but will be within the Young Adult Clinic.
  • For Angus and St Andrew’s this will be done on an individual basis given the smaller numbers transferring.

In Ninewells the monthly teenage clinic (for those aged 16-18yrs) is staffed by the Paediatric diabetes team – medical nursing and dietetic - and includes access to clinical psychology services. Every 2nd month the adult diabetes team will be present to facilitate transition.

In Ninewells and PRI there is a young adult clinic (staffed by the adult diabetes teams). Transfer to these clinics is at the discretion of the paediatric diabetes team based on the physical and emotional maturity of the individual, along with their life circumstances

In other areas (Angus, Northeast Fife) transfer is to the adult diabetes service in that area. Joint clinic appointments (with staff form both paediatric and adult services) are arranged in all areas to facilitate transition.

 

Inpatient Care

Cases of DKA in the age-group < 18 should be admitted and managed in the Paediatric Unit.  Ref BSPED guideline 2015

Medical admissions to Paediatric ward is up to 16th birthday. 

Back to the topBack to the top of this page