When families talk about diabetes, tone and perceived frequency of communication seem to better predict glycemic control than does actual frequency, according to a study involving 110 children with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

Participants completed the Family Communication Inventory—which assesses diabetes-related adherence, family conflict, and family communication—during routine visits. Investigators measured HbA1c levels at that time. Among the results:

• Frequency of communication were unrelated to HbA1c.
• Larger discrepancies between parents and children on frequency of communication—with parents reporting frequent and youths claiming less frequent communication—correlated with inferior glycemic control and more conflict.
• Youths who rated communication tone positively tended to have lower HbA1c.

The authors noted that diabetes-related communication is more nuanced than simply determining how often children and parents communicate.