Factors affecting quality of life in patients with juvenile diabetes mellitus type 1

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease, that is estimated to be affecting approximately 3 500 children in the Czech Republic. Statistics show that 1 of every 2 000 children get ill with T1DM. Adolescence is referred to as the most difficult developmental period in an individual's life. Diagnosis and treatment require discipline that includes compliance and self-monitoring. Exceeding medical control, therefore pediatric medical practice places increasing emphasis on health related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the work was to ascertain how much specific HRQOL and general QOL are reported by adolescent type 1 diabetics aged 13–18 years, their parents and children from the control group in the Czech Republic. This was followed by a comparison of results and findings of factors influencing HRQOL and QOL and investigation of the impact of the disease on the family as a whole. PedsQL – module 3.0 Diabetes, 4.0 general QOL and 2.0 Family impact module was used as a tool for getting results. The results showed that children report a higher specific HRQOL and general QOL compared to parents. The specific HRQOL in adolescents is mostly affected by the domain of the symptoms of diabetes. The results of PedsQL 2.0 indicate that diabetes can have a negative impact on parents' mental well-being and is associated with a high level of worries. The outcomes are then compared with the results of a foreign study.