Children with diabetes

In this chapter we compare the metabolic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus among Bedouin and Jewish children through a retrospective study of 60 Bedouins and 60 Jews aged 0-18 years followed at a pediatric diabetes unit. The information was extracted from the clinic records. Results: Differences were found between the groups in the parameters of the socio- economic status of the families. Education, employment rate and income levels were lower among Bedouins compared to Jewish families. In addition, the average number of visits since diagnosis to the diabetes clinic was lower among Bedouin patients relative to Jews (20.7 ± 18.9 vs. 15, p ± 27.2 >0.01). The HbA1c average over the years of follow-up showed that high percentages (88%) of all the patients did not achieve sufficient metabolic control. No significant difference was found between the groups in metabolic control based on the average HbA1c values levels, which were 9.74%±1.94 and -9.65 %± 2.03 for the Bedouin and Jewish patients, respectively (p = 0.86). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a higher risk of insufficient metabolic control (HbA1c level above 7%) among the Bedouin population (AdjOR = 1.7, p = 0.58). Conclusions: Lack of significant difference in metabolic control and the use of health services between Bedouin and Jewish populations, despite differences socio - economic statues. Similar accessibility to health services in the community for the two populations and / or high awareness and motivation of the Bedouin population to treat the disease could explain the similar outcomes.