Karolina Lindén

A web-based support for pregnant women and new mothers with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Sweden (MODIAB-Web): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundWomen with type 1 diabetes face particular demands in their lives in relation to childbearing. During pregnancy, in order to optimize the probability of giving birth to a healthy child, their blood glucose levels need to be as normal as possible. After childbirth, they experience a ‘double stress’: in addition to the ordinary challenges they face as new mothers, they also need to focus on getting their blood glucose levels normal. To improve self-management of diabetes and overall well-being in women with type 1 diabetes, a person-centered web-based support was designed to be tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to be used during pregnancy and early motherhood. This protocol outlines the design of this RCT, which will evaluate the effectiveness of the specially designed web-based support for mothers with type 1 diabetes in Sweden.Methods/DesignThe study is designed as an RCT. The web support consists of three parts: 1) evidence-based information, 2) a self-care diary, and 3) communication with peers. The primary outcome is general well-being evaluated with the Well-Being Questionnaire short version (W-BQ12) and diabetes management evaluated with the Diabetes Empowerment Scale, short version (SWE-DES). Women attending six hospital-based antenatal care centers in Sweden are invited to participate. The inclusion period is November 2011 to late 2014. The allocation of participants to web support (intervention group) and to usual care (control group) is equal (1:1). In total, 68 participants in each group will be needed to reach a statistical power of 80% with significance level 0.05.DiscussionThe web support is expected to strengthen the women’s personal capacity and autonomy during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early motherhood, leading to optimal well-being and diabetes management.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01565824 (registration date March 27th 2012).

Web-based information for pregnant women and new mothers with type 1 diabetes- a description of the development process

BackgroundThis paper describes the process of developing specifically designed web-based maternity information for women with type 1 diabetes.MethodsA participatory design was used and the information was evaluated in seven stages by researchers, professional experts and users. All steps of the development process were noted in an online logbook.ResultsThe information developed gradually and its contents were reviewed by nurse-midwives, nurses and physicians specializing in different key areas including diabetes care, paediatrics, obstetrics and breastfeeding, a clinical dietician and mothers with type 1 diabetes. The draft was reviewed in regard to its cultural suitability and the information material was adjusted to meet quality criterions. Finally, the text was adapted for a lay audience.ConclusionsUsing participatory design required time and resources, however; it proved a functional way of producing appropriate information for the target group.

Person-centred, web-based support in pregnancy and early motherhood for women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

To report results from and explore use of a multicentre, parallel‐group, unblinded, randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness in terms of well‐being and diabetes management of a person‐centred, web‐based support programme for women with Type 1 diabetes, in pregnancy and postpartum.

Well-Being and Diabetes Management in Early Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

This paper explores well-being and diabetes management in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in early pregnancy and investigates associations among perceived well-being, diabetes management, and maternal characteristics. Questionnaires were answered by 168 Swedish women. Correlation analyses were conducted with Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rs). The women reported relatively high scores of self-efficacy in diabetes management (SWE-DES-10: 3.91 (0.51)) and self-perceived health (excellent (6.5%), very good (42.3%), good (38.7%), fair (11.3%) and poor (1.2%)). Moderate scores were reported for general well-being (WBQ-12: 22.6 (5.7)) and sense of coherence (SOC-13: 68.9 (9.7), moderate/low scores for hypoglycemia fear (SWE-HFS 26.6 (11.8)) and low scores of diabetes-distress (SWE-PAID-20 27.1 (15.9)). A higher capability of self-efficacy in diabetes management showed positive correlations with self-perceived health (rs = −0.41, p < 0.0001) and well-being (rs = 0.34, p < 0.0001) as well as negative correlations with diabetes distress (rs = −0.51, p < 0.0001) and hypoglycemia worries (rs = −0.27, p = 0.0009). Women with HbA1c levels of ≤48 mmL/mol scored higher in the subscales “goal achievement” in SWE-DES (p = 0.0028) and “comprehensibility” in SOC (p = 0.016). Well-being and diabetes management could be supported by strengthening the women’s capability to achieve glycemic goals and their comprehensibility in relation to the treatment. Further studies are needed to test this.

Well-being, diabetes management and breastfeeding in mothers with type 1 diabetes – An explorative analysis

OBJECTIVES The aim was to explore and investigate associations between well-being, diabetes management and breastfeeding in mothers with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) up to six months postpartum. METHODS An explorative analysis of self-reported questionnaires measuring general well-being, sense of coherence, self-efficacy of diabetes management and experiences of diabetes management during breastfeeding, which were distributed to 155 mothers with T1DM at two months and at six months after childbirth. The questionnaires were answered by 128 (82.5%) at two months and 137 (88.4%) at six months after birth. Statistical analysis included; descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon sign-rank test, sign test and Spearmans correlation coefficient (rs). RESULTS The majority of the mothers had fairly high levels of general well-being and diabetes management but a quarter had a low sense of coherence at both two and six months after birth. A weak association was found between more unstable blood glucose levels and lower general well-being at two months postpartum, but no other associations with erratic glycaemia was found. Those with lower grades of general well-being and sense of coherence had a higher need of professional support to manage their diabetes than they were offered, at both two and six months. CONCLUSION To develop more optimal care routines for mothers with T1DM after childbirth, further studies are needed to identify those most in need of additional support.