O-32: Glycemic goal knowledge among adolescents with type 1 diabetes: gaps and demographic difference
E Cobry, L Waterman, E Mason, D Cengiz, H K AkturkAbstract
Introduction
Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are increasingly expected to interpret continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics and apply glycemic targets to daily self-management. However, little is known about adolescents’ understanding of recommended CGM-based glycemic goals or how knowledge varies across demographic groups.
Objectives
To assess adolescents’ knowledge of recommended glycemic targets and identify demographic factors associated with gaps in understanding.
Methods
Adolescents (aged 14-17 years old) with T1D completed a survey evaluating knowledge of CGM metric goals, including the definition of In Range (70-180mg/dL) and the target time in range (TIR, >70%), the definition of hypoglycemia (<70mg/dL) and the target time below range (TBR, <4%), the definition of very low (<54 mg/dL) and the target time very low (<1%), average sensor glucose (<154mg/dL), glycemic variability (CV <36%), and A1c (<7%). Associations between demographic characteristics and accuracy of individual question responses were analyzed.
Results
43 adolescents participated (mean age 16 ± 1.0 years; 52% female; 88% White, non-Hispanic). Overall accuracy rates of individual questions were low with a general knowledge score of 3.8±1.9 (possible range 0-9). 4/9 questions were correctly answered by >50% of participants, while 5/9 questions were correctly answered by <50%. Correct responses to individual questions did not differ significantly based on A1c or ethnicity. In contrast, significant differences (p<0.05) in correct responses were observed in several items when stratified by diabetes duration, gender, and grade level (Figure).
Conclusions
Adolescents with T1D demonstrated limited knowledge of recommended glycemic targets, with specific gaps influenced by demographic characteristics. These findings highlight the need for developmentally tailored, repeated education on CGM-based glycemic goals during routine pediatric diabetes care to support safe and effective self-management.