Socio-cognitive determinants affecting insulin adherence/non-adherence in late adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review protocol

Objective: This systematic review aims to investigate the key socio-cognitive determinants associated with adherence/non-adherence to insulin treatment in late adolescents and young adults in the age range of 17-24 years with T1D.

Methods: A pre-specified search strategy will be used to search for studies in the electronic databases and citation indexes: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Two researchers will screen the title and the abstract independently, then will read and critically appraise the full text of each included study. A third independent reviewer will resolve disagreements in data extraction until consensus. Data will be extracted using the Population, Exposure, Outcomes, Study characteristics framework. Study selection will follow the updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews (PRISMA 2020) and will take place from 15 October 2021 to 1 January 2022. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the observational studies will be assessed by the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cohort and JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies.

Results: A qualitative narrative synthesis will present the characteristics and the quality of studies and the outcomes of concern.

Conclusion: Based on the contemporary literature, this review will synthesize the evidence on the socio-cognitive determinants associated with adherence/non-adherence to insulin treatment in late adolescents and young adults in the age range of 17-24 years with T1D. The findings will help design patient-centered interventions to promote adherence to insulin in this age group, guide patients' consultations and diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs.Protocol registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42021233074.