Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 na Adolescência: Adesão ao Tratamento e Qualidade de Vida

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is a chronic degenerative disease that has a major impact on the quality of life of children and adolescents. DM1 predominantly affects children and young adults under 30 years of age, with a peak incidence in adolescence, from 10 to 14 years of age. As a chronic disease, it involves changes in daily habits, with following rules being one of the main behaviors to achieve such changes. This research aimed to investigate type 1 diabetes mellitus in adolescence with a focus on adherence to treatment and quality of life. This is an integrative review of the literature, using the databases Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO). The following Health Sciences Descriptors (DECs) were used for the search: Adolescence. Adolescent. Diabetes Mellitus. Quality of life. 105 scientific studies were identified. After reading the titles and abstracts, 95 articles that did not meet the eligibility criteria were excluded, 08 articles were considered eligible to compose the sample. The authors consider that complying with the guidelines of health professionals is a fundamental part of adolescents' adherence to DM1 treatment, obeying prescriptions, seeking support services, taking medications appropriately, having self-care attitudes, hygiene habits and protective behaviors are some of the of the expected behaviors of adolescent patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, favoring quality of life. It is concluded that adherence to treatment in adolescent patients with diabetes mellitus can minimize long-term complications and maintain adequate blood sugar levels. During adolescence, internal and external demands, resulting from physical, social and psychological changes, can lead to reduced adherence to type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) treatment.