Objective: Evaluate trajectories of type 1 diabetes health indicators from high school through the first year of college.
Participants: Seventy-four students with type 1 diabetes who maintained pediatric endocrinology care during the first year of college.
Methods: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose monitoring frequency, body mass index (BMI), and clinic attendance data were collected via retrospective medical chart review in spring 2012. Group-based trajectory models evaluated diabetes-related health indicators over time and identified distinct growth trajectory groups.
Results: BMI increased and clinic attendance decreased in the first year of college. Trajectories for other health indicators were heterogeneous and stable over time; 69% of students were classified as having stable good glycemic control. Racial minority youth and youth on conventional insulin regimens were disproportionally represented in higher-risk groups.
Conclusions: Diabetes health indicators are stable or decline upon college entrance. Results signal the need for targeted support for college students with type 1 diabetes.
Keywords: Adherence; clinical medicine; diabetes; young adults.