Jessica C. Kichler

Hypovitaminosis D in obese children and adolescents: relationship with adiposity, insulin sensitivity, ethnicity, and season.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) results in hyperparathyroidism and is among the endocrine derangements of adult obesity. There are differing recommendations on defining low 25(OH) D: hypovitaminosis D (serum 25[OH] D concentration <75 nmol/L) and vitamin D deficiency (serum 25[OH] D concentration <50 nmol/L). We sought to evaluate the prevalence of low levels of 25(OH) D by examining hypovitaminosis D (<75 nmol/L), vitamin D sufficiency (> or =75 nmol/L), vitamin D insufficiency (50-74.9 nmol/L), and vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) in pediatric obesity and the relationship to other calciotropic hormones and adiposity. Serum 25(OH) D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), ionized calcium, glucose, and insulin levels along with hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were determined in 127 subjects aged 13.0 +/- 3.0 years (49 Caucasian [C], 39 Hispanic [H], and 39 African American [AA]; 61.2% female; body mass index 36.4 +/- 8.1 kg/m(2)) during fall/winter (F/W) and spring/summer (S/S). Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance. Hypovitaminosis D was present in 74% of the cohort, but was more prevalent in the H (76.9%, P < .05) and AA (87.2%, P < .05) groups than in the C group (59.1%). Hypovitaminosis D corresponded to decreased vitamin D intake (P < .005) and was more prevalent in F/W than S/S (98.4% vs 49.2, P < .01). Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 32.3% of the entire cohort and was more prevalent in the H (43.6%, P < .0001) and AA (48.7%, P < .0001) groups than in the C group (10.2%) associated with decreased vitamin D intake (P < .0001). Vitamin D insufficiency was present in 41.7% of the cohort, with similar prevalence among C (48.9%), H (33.3%), and AA (38.5%). Vitamin D insufficiency corresponded to decreased vitamin D intake (P < .005), with similar prevalence in F/W and S/S (45.3% vs 38.1%), whereas vitamin D deficiency was not only accompanied by decreased vitamin D intake (P < .0001) but was more prevalent in F/W than S/S (53.1% vs 11.1%, P < .0001). Serum 25(OH) D and iPTH (r = -0.41, P < .0001) levels were negatively correlated without seasonal and ethnic/racial influences. Hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D-deficient groups had higher body mass index, fat mass (FM), and iPTH, but had lower QUICKI than vitamin D-sufficient group (P < .01). Whereas FM was negatively correlated with 25(OH) D (r = -0.40, P < .0001), it was positively correlated with iPTH (r = 0.46, P < .0001) without seasonal and racial/ethnic influences. Serum 25(OH) D was also positively correlated with QUICKI (r = 0.24, P < .01), but was inversely correlated with HbA(1c) (r = -0.23, P < .01). Hypovitaminosis D was identified in 74% of obese subjects, whereas vitamin D deficiency was observed in 32.3% of our cohort. Vitamin D status was influenced by vitamin D intake, season, ethnicity/race, and adiposity. Interrelationships between 25(OH) D, iPTH, and FM were not influenced by season and race/ethnicity. Furthermore, serum 25(OH) D was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity, which was FM mediated, but negatively correlated with HbA(1c), implying that obese children and adolescents with low vitamin D status may be at increased risk of developing impaired glucose metabolism independent of body adiposity. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms.

Spectrum of metabolic dysfunction in relationship with hyperandrogenemia in obese adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVEnPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adult women is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and atherosclerosis. We evaluated the spectrum of metabolic dysfunction in relationship with hyperandrogenemia (HA) in adolescent girls with PCOS.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnOvulatory function, acne, hirsutism (HS), body mass index (BMI), body composition, fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, free testosterone (FT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and HbA1c were evaluated in 103 girls. The homeostatic assessment model equations (HOMA-IR and HOMA-%B) were used for determination of insulin resistance and beta-cell function respectively.nnnRESULTSnThe oligo-ovulation (Oligo)+HA+HS (n=44), Oligo+HA (n=28), and Oligo+HS (n=31) phenotypes had similar BMI. However, hyperandrogenemic phenotypes had higher prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) and acne (P<0.01) and higher insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-%B, HbA1c, and hs-CRP levels than Oligo+HS group (P<0.01). Serum FT was correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.38, P<0.01), HOMA-%B (r=0.49, P<0.01), hs-CRP (r=0.42, P<0.01), AN (r=0.39, P<0.01), and HbA1c (r=0.27, P<0.01). Furthermore, 34% of girls met diagnostic criteria for MS displaying higher BMI, FT, HOMA-%B, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, and HbA1c than subjects without MS (P<0.01). Using combined HOMA-IR>or=4.0 and hs-CRP>3.0 cut-off values, 71.4% of MS versus 23.5% non-MS group were considered at risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis (P<0.0001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnHyperandrogenemic PCOS phenotypes have greatest degree of insulin resistance and inflammation. The use of insulin resistance and inflammatory markers may help identify adolescent girls with PCOS at risk of cardiometabolic syndrome.

Parathyroid Hormone Is Associated with Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance and Inflammation, Independent of Vitamin D Status, in Obese Adolescents

BACKGROUNDn25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH) have been shown to correlate with several markers of metabolic syndrome in adult populations. We evaluated the relationship between circulating intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and 25(OH)D and indices of metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents.nnnMETHODSnBody mass index (BMI), body composition, 25(OH)D, iPTH, fasting lipids, glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated in 133 obese adolescents.nnnRESULTSnVitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <50 nmol/L] was present in 45.1% of all patients, with higher prevalence in African-American (AA) and Hispanic (H) than Caucasian (C) subgroups (63.9% and 56.4% vs. 25.9%; P<0.001). iPTH and 25(OH)D were inversely correlated (r=-0.75; P<0.0001), with AA displaying a higher iPTH: 25(OH)D ratio than H and C subgroups (P<0.05). Whereas fat mass (FM) was negatively correlated with 25(OH)D (r=-0.30; p<0.001), it was positively correlated with iPTH levels (r=0.38; P<0.0001). Metabolic syndrome was identified in 57.9% of the cohort with higher iPTH, iPTH:25(OH)D ratio, but lower 25(OH)D than participants without metabolic syndrome (P<0.02). Whereas iPTH showed main effects for hsCRP (β=0.24, t=2.61, P<0.05) and triglycerides:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG:HDL-C) (β=0.21, t=2.13, p<0.05), independent of serum 25(OH)D, it did not reveal a main effect for HOMA-IR.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMetabolic syndrome is associated with a higher iPTH:25(OH)D ratio than those without metabolic syndrome, implying greater risk of cardiovascular morbidities among AA subjects than other ethnic groups. Furthermore, the serum iPTH level is a predictor of chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia, independent of 25(OH)D.

Use of the Family Interaction Macro-coding System with Families of Adolescents: Psychometric Properties Among Pediatric and Healthy Populations

OBJECTIVEnTo examine reliability and validity data for the Family Interaction Macro-coding System (FIMS) with adolescents with spina bifida (SB), adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and healthy adolescents and their families.nnnMETHODSnSixty-eight families of children with SB, 58 families of adolescents with T1DM, and 68 families in a healthy comparison group completed family interaction tasks and self-report questionnaires. Trained coders rated family interactions using the FIMS.nnnRESULTSnAcceptable interrater and scale reliabilities were obtained for FIMS items and subscales. Observed FIMS parental acceptance, parental behavioral control, parental psychological control, family cohesion, and family conflict scores demonstrated convergent validity with conceptually similar self-report measures.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPreliminary evidence supports the use of the FIMS with families of youths with SB and T1DM and healthy youths. Future research on overall family functioning may be enhanced by use of the FIMS.

Exploratory analysis of the relationships among different methods of assessing adherence and glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVESnThe present study examined four methods of assessing diabetes adherence (self-report, diary measure, electronic monitoring, and provider rating) within a population of youth with Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).nnnMETHODSnComparisons were conducted among the four methods of assessing diabetes adherence. Associations among the seven different measures of blood glucose monitoring (BGM) and HbA1c were examined. An exploratory stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine the best predictors of glycemic control (i.e., Hemoglobin A1c; HbA1c) while controlling for relevant demographic variables.nnnRESULTSnThe adherence measures appeared to be interrelated. The relationships between many of the BGM measures and HbA1c demonstrated a medium effect size. The Self Care Inventory (SCI) adjusted global score was the strongest predictor of HbA1c, even after taking the demographic variables into account.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe SCI is a robust, easy-to-use, and cost-efficient measure of adherence that has a strong relationship to HbA1c. Demographic variables are important to examine within the context of different methods of assessing adherence. The research methodology utilized to assess both general diabetes adherence and more specific behavioral measurements of BGM should be clearly documented in future studies to ensure accurate interpretation of results.

Improving adherence in social situations for adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM): a pilot study.

AIMSnManagement of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) involves adherence to complex daily behaviors. Some adolescents have difficulty maintaining these regimens within social contexts due to peer pressure and apprehension about being singled out (Wysocki et al., 2003 [1]). Previous research suggests that negative social attributions have a role in adherence difficulties (Hains et al., 2006 [6]). This pilot study examined a cognitive-behavioral intervention geared towards challenging and restructuring negative thinking patterns.nnnMETHODSnTen adolescents with T1DM and HbA1c readings greater then 7.0% were recruited from a large, Midwestern Childrens Hospital. The intervention consisted of a 1-h session followed by three weekly phone calls, which focused on cognitive restructuring and problem-solving training. Measures of diabetes-related stress and concerns surrounding self-care in social situations were completed by the adolescents pre- and post-intervention and at one-month follow-up.nnnRESULTSnA series of repeated measure ANOVAS did not reveal significant differences between pre-intervention and follow-up scores across measures.nnnCONCLUSIONSnWhile there were no significant differences between pre-intervention and follow-up scores, the results highlight some important trends. Specifically, preliminary results suggest that the trends in individual scores indicate that problem-solving may be helpful for improving adherence in social situations.

Factors related to caregiver state anxiety and coping with a child’s chronic illness.

The resiliency of families, based on family functioning and family hardiness, may influence caregivers anxiety while their child is in the hospital undergoing treatment for his or her chronic illness. The current study assessed the relationship among these factors for caregivers of children with various chronic illnesses who were residing at a local Ronald McDonald House (RMH). Caregivers completed paper-based questionnaires to assess family hardiness, functioning, and parent state anxiety and interviews to identify positive and negative strategies and behaviors affecting how they were coping with their childs illness. Findings indicated that family functioning mediated the relationship between family hardiness and caregiver anxiety as a resilience factor that further reduced caregiver anxiety. During interviews, caregivers suggested that support from family members strengthened their coping abilities. Negative interactions with their childs medical team and not knowing how or being equipped to help their child live with his or her illness heightened caregiver stress. Future research should focus on developing, implementing, and measuring the effectiveness of interventions to improve caregiver support, such as by holding caregiver support groups at local RMHs, especially during a childs hospitalization.

Effectiveness of Groups for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Parents

Peer- and family-based group therapies have been used as separate interventions to improve adjustment and self-management among youth with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study replicates a treatment protocol that combined these two types of diabetes management groups, while also using a wait-list control design methodology within an outpatient mental health clinic setting. General psychosocial and diabetes-related variables were assessed at baseline, immediately posttreatment, and 4 months posttreatment. Youths medical information, including metabolic control values, was extracted from medical charts for the 6 months prior to baseline and 6 months after treatment ended. At 4 months posttreatment, parents and youth reported increased parent responsibility, and parents reported improved youth diabetes-specific quality of life. Although there were no statistically significant changes in hemoglobin A1c values and health care utilization frequency from 6 months prior to and 6 months posttreatment, other psychosocial changes (i.e., increases in parent responsibility and diabetes-specific quality of life) were documented. Therefore, this treatment was found to be a promising intervention for use in an outpatient clinical setting to aid in improving the psychosocial functioning of youth with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Assessing readiness to change the balance of responsibility for managing type 1 diabetes mellitus: Adolescent, mother, and father perspectives

Kaugars AS, Kichler JC, Alemzadeh R. Assessing readiness to change the balance of responsibility for managing type 1 diabetes mellitus: adolescent, mother, and father perspectives.

Experiencing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents’ Concept of Illness, Adjustment, and Motivation to Engage in Self-Care Behaviors

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in terms of how youths conceptualized the effect of T2DM on daily life, adjustment to the illness, and motivation related to diabetes self-care management. The aims of the study were to gather essential information in order to develop appropriate intervention techniques and inform future studies intended to understand the psychosocial experiences of youths with T2DM. Methods Eight adolescents diagnosed with T2DM were recruited from an outpatient pediatric diabetes clinic at a Midwestern children’s hospital. A qualitative interview was developed, which was scheduled to last about 30 to 45 minutes. Data were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research methodology, wherein qualitative coders developed core ideas and themes related to the adolescent experience of T2DM. Results Three main themes were identified, including how the youths conceptualized the impact of T2DM, adjustment to self-care, and motivation to perform self-care behaviors. Knowledge related to the cause of T2DM and adjustment to completing self-care behaviors was varied among youths. Few adolescents spoke about motivation sources, although when mentioned, it typically involved witnessing negative health consequences in family members or friends with T2DM. Conclusions The data represent essential initial information related to youths with T2DM, which will help guide in developing future studies designed to understand the psychosocial experiences of youths with T2DM and appropriate intervention techniques. Future research that aims to increase internal and external motivation may be able to subsequently impact adherence to self-care behaviors.