Diabetes Management Varies with Stages of Adulthood

A new study has found that type 1 diabetes self-management among adults varies with developmental stages. Researchers from New York University’s College of Nursing analyzed data from 7,153 adult patients and classified participants into one of four adult developmental stages: emerging, young, middle-aged, and older adults.

The study found there were different factors associated with A1c levels at each developmental stage. Emerging adults (ages 18-24) had the highest A1c levels, while older adults (65 and older) had the lowest mean A1c levels. Use of continuous glucose monitoring was lower among emerging adults, and this group was also more likely to miss one or more insulin dose per day.

These findings were published in Diabetes Care on May 25, 2018.