Anxiety in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

- Anxiety was prevalent in youth with type 1 diabetes.
- Anxiety was associated with higher HbA1c, poorer self-management, poorer coping, depression, fear of hypoglycemia, and lower blood glucose monitoring frequency.
- Girls were at a higher risk of anxiety symptoms than boys.
- Differences in health outcomes related to state and trait anxiety were identified.
- Additional research is needed to improve current screening and treatment practices in youth with type 1 diabetes.

ProblemMental health conditions are prevalent in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms are highly correlated and are two of the most prevalent mental health conditions in youth in the general population. The detrimental effect of depressive symptoms in youth with T1D has been well documented, but the effects of anxiety symptoms are not well understood.Eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they were published between 1990 and 2015, and evaluated anxiety symptoms in a population of youth with T1D.SampleA total of 20 studies were identified from a sample of 338 papers.ResultsAnxiety symptoms were prevalent in youth with T1D. Anxiety symptoms were associated with higher glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, poorer self-management and coping behaviors, depressive symptoms, fear of hypoglycemia, and lower blood glucose monitoring frequency. State anxiety and trait anxiety symptoms affected health outcomes differently. Girls were at a higher risk of anxiety symptoms than boys.ConclusionsAnxiety symptoms in youth with T1D have detrimental effects on health outcomes, including self-management, quality of life, and HbA1c.ImplicationsFuture research should aim to improve our current screening and treatment practices.