Investigation on the association between diabetes distress and productivity among patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus in the primary healthcare institutions

Abstract

AimsTo investigate associations between diabetes distress and productivity, and to identify the potential risk factors that could affect these particular associations. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in three outpatient healthcare institutions. Patients aged ≥21 years with uncontrolled T2DM and polypharmacy were included. The Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) measuring diabetes distress and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment General Health (WPAI-GH) measuring productivity were administered by trained interviewers. ResultsA total of 259 patients were analysed. Point prevalence of clinically severe diabetes distress, work productivity loss and life productivity loss were 7.7%, 45.0% and 35.1% respectively. Diabetes distress was positively associated with work productivity loss (p = 0.001) and life productivity loss (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes distress (p = 0.003), the total number of chronic medications (p = 0.012), insulin therapy (p = 0.027) and the presence of chronic kidney disease (p = 0.038) were significantly associated with work impairment. Diabetes distress (p = 0.001) and the presences of osteoarthritis (p = 0.039) were significantly associated with activity impairment. ConclusionHealthcare professionals should screen patients for diabetes distress to prevent productivity losses, especially in patients with polypharmacy and/or on insulin and with coexisting osteoarthritis or chronic kidney disease.