Does carbohydrate counting from diabetes onset improve glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes? : A clinical prospective study with a cross sectional questionnaire.

Abstract: Background Carbohydrate counting is a method used to calculate insulin doses to meals, in the treatment of diabetes type 1. Few studies are available with a clear consensus on its efficacy and effect on anthropometrics in children and adolescents. Aim To evaluate if carbohydrate counting as treatment method in diabetes type 1 improved glycemic control and anthropometrics compared to conventional treatment, one and two years after onset in children and adolescents at Astrid Lindgren children’s hospital. A secondary aim was to explore patients and caregivers perception of insulin dosage to meals with focus on efficacy, time consumption and adherence. Method A clinical prospective study was performed on data collected from the Swedish pediatric quality registry (Swediabkids). Children with diabetes onset between 2010 and 2014 registered at Astrid Lindgren Children’s hospital (n=371) were included and divided into two groups, carbohydrate counters and non-carbohydrate counters. Normal distribution was assumed and parametric tests were performed. The registry data was complemented with a web-based questionnaire providing information on perception of carbohydrate counting, answered by 78 subjects. Results Carbohydrate counting reduced insulin requirements (p<0.001) and eliminated differences between pump- and pen users (p<0.001) as well as differences between boys and girls. Glycemic control was not improved by carbohydrate counting one and two years after diabetes onset (p=0.233, p=0.295). An adverse effect was increased body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-sds) (p=0.044), especially amongst girls (p=0.038). Conclusion Carbohydrate counting lowers insulin requirements with maintained glycemic control. Contradictory, greater weight gain was found in the carbohydrate counting group, especially among girls. A plausible explanation is that carbohydrates have taken focus off protein- and fat intake in combination with a more liberal approach to energy dense foods, causing excess energy intake. The strength of carbohydrate counting does not lie in its ability to lower HbA1c-values but as a helpful tool, which patients are happy to use.