Clinic for Athletes With Type 1 Diabetes: Evaluation of a Structured Clinical Care Model for Physically Active Individuals

OBJECTIVE Athletes and physically active individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) encounter unique challenges in managing their condition before, during, and after sports participation. However, structured educational and clinical support tailored to these needs remains limited. This study evaluated the Clinic for Athletes With Type 1 Diabetes (CATOD) program, a structured clinical care model for physically active individuals at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This single-center, prospective, observational outpatient clinical study included 114 athletes with T1D, ranging from amateur to world-class levels, enrolled in the CATOD program. Participants completed a structured program including a diabetes sports camp (phase 1) followed by individualized follow-up consultations (phase 2). Changes in diabetes-related knowledge were assessed after phase 1, and validated questionnaires, glycemic measures, and insulin therapy parameters were analyzed in phase 2. RESULTS Diabetes-related knowledge improved by 19% (95% CI 16.1%, 21.8%; P < 0.001), with significant gains across all training modalities, after phase 1. During phase 2, psychosocial outcomes improved, including increased confidence in diabetes management and reduced diabetes-related distress and fear of hypoglycemia (all P ≤ 0.006). HbA1c levels decreased (P < 0.001), and insulin distribution was adjusted (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS Participation in the CATOD program was associated with improvements in diabetes-related knowledge, psychosocial outcomes, and clinical outcomes. Although causal inferences cannot be drawn, these findings support the feasibility and clinical value of a structured, interdisciplinary care model combining education and individualized follow-up to enhance self-management and promote safe sports participation among individuals with T1D.