Association between Responsible Pet Ownership and Glycemic Control in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes.

ABSTRACT: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) a chronic characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency requires conscientious patient self-management to maintain glucose control within a normal range. Family cohesion and adaptability, positive coping strategies, social support and adequate self-regulatory behavior are found to favorably influence glycemic control. Our hypothesis was that the responsible care of a companion animal is associated with these positive attributes and correlated with the successful management of a chronic illness such as type 1 diabetes. We recruited 223 youths between 9 and 19 years of age from the Pediatric Diabetes clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, reviewed the status of their glycemic control (using three consecutive A1c values) and asked them ques

SUBMITTER: Maranda L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4841520 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature