Assessment of a new home-based care pathway for children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aim: To compare the outcomes of home-based and conventional hospital-based care for children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted of all children newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at the Timone Hospital in Marseille, France, between November 2017 and July 2019. The patients received either home-based or in-patient hospital care. The primary outcome was the length of initial hospital stay. The secondary outcome measures were glycemic control in the first year of treatment, families' diabetes knowledge, the effect of diabetes on quality of life, and overall quality of care.

Results: A total of 85 patients were included, 37 in the home-based care group and 48 in the in-patient care group. The initial length of hospital stay was 6 days in the home-based care group versus 9 days in the in-patient care group. Levels of glycemic control, diabetes knowledge and quality of care were comparable in the two groups despite a higher rate of socioeconomic deprivation in the home-based care group.

Conclusion: Home-based care for children with diabetes is safe and effective. This new healthcare pathway provides good overall social care, especially for socioeconomically deprived families.

Keywords: Deprivation; Diabetes; Home-based care; Pediatric.