Aim

To summarize and critically evaluate the current evidence regarding the impact of hypoglycaemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes on parental quality of life.

Methods

MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched. Inclusion criteria were: 1) quantitative design, 2) included parents of children or adolescents with type 1 diabetes, 3) assessment of hypoglycaemia in children/adolescents with type 1 diabetes, 4) assessment of parent quality of life (or related domains of life), and 5) analysis of the relationship(s) between the child’s hypoglycaemia and parent’s quality of life. The data were summarized in accordance with Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis Guidelines.

Results

Twelve studies were included, reporting data from 1,895 parents across 6 countries. Ten studies were cross-sectional; two included prospective data. Evidence suggested that greater frequency and severity of hypoglycaemia was associated with greater parental fear of hypoglycaemia, emotional distress and family burden.

Conclusion

Children’s hypoglycaemia has a negative impact on the well-being of parents, but there is an absence of evidence regarding the impact on their overall quality of life. Research into the hypoglycaemia-specific quality of life of parents is needed to explore the impact on various areas, such as social and physical dimensions

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