Lifestyle Changes and Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Factorial Design Approach

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs due to destruction of insulin producing beta cells in pancreas. T1D usually occurs in children and young individuals, and requires continuous blood glucose monitoring for adjustment of insulin dosage on a daily basis. Incidence of T1D has been increasing over the past three decades. Hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis episodes are common adverse effects due to irregular monitoring of daily blood glucose. It is a big challenge in developed as well as developing countries to live with T1D due to less optimal use of timely entry in logbook for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Current guidelines recommend SMBG use in all patients with diabetes. According to a study, increased daily frequency of SMBG was significantly associated with lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) along with added benefits of fewer acute complications among children and adolescents. Available literature from Pakistan highlights non-adherence of T1D patients to recommended dietary advice (58.5%), physical activity (42.3%) and prescribed insulin regimen (88.1%). Use of mobile applications has been shown to increase the medication adherence and use of self-blood glucose testing. Increased daily step count by T1D patients helped to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. A wearable e-device accompanied with an application (Fitbit App) tracks step count by recording data in mobile application. HbA1C levels acts as an indicator for the glycemic control and correlates with complications. However, HbA1C cannot determine the daily variability of blood glucose, thus SMBG can help predict the average daily risk reduction in T1D complications. The proposed study will address the adherence to standard protocols for maintaining home based records by patients and caregivers and insulin therapy, optimizing the quarterly HbA1C levels.