Ospelt, E, Noor, N, Haw, J.S, Hsieh, S, Weinstock, R, Hansen, D, Cossen, K, Fantasia, K, Guttman-Bauman, I, Raman, V, Seyoum, B, Ebekozien, O.

Background: This multi-center study aims to explore relationships between individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are at risk for food insecurity and glycemic outcomes.

Methods: Electronic health record data from T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) categorized completed Hunger Vital Signs (HVS) questionnaires into at risk and no risk for food insecurity. At-risk individuals were defined as selecting “often true” or “sometimes true” to screening questions, whereas primary outcome was recent A1c levels. Demographic information and diabetes related covariates were assessed for potential relationships.

Results: In the total T1D cohort (N=4453), 3.8% were at risk for food insecurity. Stratifying by age, 6% of youth (<18 years) and 5% of adults (>18 years) were at risk. Statistically significant differences were observed among food insecurity risk and insurance type. Of those at risk, 54% had public insurance compared with 7% private. Individuals at risk had a higher mean HbA1c when compared with individuals not at risk (9.4% vs 8.5% respectively, p<.001). The odds of an individual having an HbA1c >7% were higher in the group at risk relative to the group not at risk OR1.4 (95% CI 0.9, 2.1).

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