Micro-angiopathic and psychopathological risks in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents

Objective Evaluate the correlation between psychopathological disorders in type I insulin-dependent diabetic (IDD) children and adolescents and the occurrence of micro-angiopathic complications. Methods Two hundred and five IDD children (104 girls and 101 boys with a mean age of 13.4 +/- 33 years on inclusion) were longitudinally monitored between 1994 and 2000. Somatic complications were systematically searched for during a yearly control visit to the day hospital. Psychiatric disorders had been assessed initially by self-administered questionnaires filled-in by the children (Spielberger's STAIC-Trait for anxiety, CESD for depression and Child-EAT for eating habits), by the parents (CBCL, CPRS or GHQ-28) or the principle teachers (CTRS) and diagnostic screening of psychopathological disorders every year. Results More than 140% of the IDD children (n = 86) were diagnosed DSM-IV, with predominant anxiety (n = 41), during the longitudinal evaluation. Positive screening was significantly associated with higher psychopathological scores before inclusion in the study, with children considered more perturbed by the parents, teachers and the children themselves and mothers who considered themselves more perturbed (GHQ-28 mean 5.6 +/- 7.5 vs. 3.5 +/- 4.8; t = 2.211 p = 0.028). These children were less compliant Disorders were associated with metabolic imbalance, measured by HbA1c, overweight and an excess of micro-angiopathic particularly retinopathic, complications. Conclusion Our results show the frequency of mental disorders in IDD children, the importance c 'the parents' psychopathology and its association with increased somatic risk. The nature of this relationship requires clarification and the incidence of prevention measures targeted on the psychological problems. The interest of associating a paedopsychiatric element in the therapeutic management of these patients and their families is emphasized.