The impact of type 1 diabetes on sibling quality of life: A case-control study
Khalid Abdulaziz Alyahya, Fahad Abdullah Alhelelah, Hussam Eid Aleid, Feras Abdulkarim Alrasheed, Nawaf Mohammed Almutairi, Yazeed Abdulaziz Alhumed, Reem Abdullah Al KhalifahBackground:
We aimed to explore the impact of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) on the quality of life (QoL) of the healthy siblings and the family unit.
Methodology:
This case–control study was conducted at the University Diabetic Center at King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh between 2025 and 2026 after the approval of the Institutional Review Board of King Saud University. The sibling QoL was assessed using the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales. T1D mellitus (T1DM) child QoL was assessed using the PedsQL 3.0 Diabetes Module, and parental health-related QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L and PHQ-9.
Results:
We enrolled 37 family triads—each comprising one child with T1DM (mean age 10.60 ± 2.85 years), the closest-in-age healthy sibling (mean age 9.44 ± 4.45 years), and one parent caregiver. The sibling total QoL was a median of 91.3 (interquartile range 81.5–95.7); however, siblings of T1DM children with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) scored significantly lower than those without (median 83.2 vs. 93.8). The mean T1DM child QoL was mean 62.25 ± 14.45; lower scores were primarily driven by the Diabetes Symptoms subscale (mean 56.62). T1DM child QoL was positively and significantly associated with sibling QoL (Spearman
Conclusion:
Healthy siblings of children with T1DM experience measurable indirect QoL burden, most clearly linked to the T1DM child’s DKA history. These findings support the adoption of sibling-inclusive, family-centered diabetes care models in which DKA prevention are prioritized as integrated components of pediatric T1DM management.