Abstracto

Screening for psychological disorders in youth with Type 1 diabetes: who, when, what and how?

FJ Cameron & EA Northam

Psychological morbidity is significantly more common in youth with Type 1 diabetes than microvascular and autoimmune complications. As such, mental health problems represent a considerable burden to both the individual and the public health system. Risk factors for psychological distress in youth with this disease are identified and the long-term adverse consequences of poorly controlled diabetes are highlighted. A practical and cost-effective case is made for clinic-based screening at key time points to identify troubled youth and to facilitate timely intervention for this ‘at risk’ population.