Psychosocial Factors Predicting Healthcare Usage in Young Adults with Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: The TODAY2 iCount Observational Study.

Abstract

Established diabetes care ("diabetes home") and regular healthcare visits are important to achieve optimal health. Nothing is known about psychosocial factors that predict healthcare usage (HCU) in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes, at risk for early complications. To identify psychosocial predictors of HCU in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY2) cohort. Longitudinal, measured at T1 (baseline) and T2 (1year later). Logistic and linear regressions, adjusted for potential confounders, identified predictors of sub-optimal HCU (defined as no diabetes home, 0 visits for routine care, or ≥ 1 urgent care visit in prior 6months). N = 366 TODAY2 participants with T1 and T2 data (381 consented). Mean age = 26.0years, 67.8% female, 37.7% non-Hispanic Black, 35.8% Hispanic, 20.2% non-Hispanic white, 6.3% "other," mean HbA1c = 9.4%. HCU survey; reliable and valid measures of diabetes self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, diabetes distress, beliefs about medicines, diabetes attitudes, material need insecurities, self-management support. 25.4% had no diabetes home, 23.7% had 0 routine care visits, 46% had ≥ 1 urgent care visit (prior 6months). Beliefs in the necessity of (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12, 1.46, p < 0.001), and concerns about (OR = 1.29;CI = 1.08,1.54, p = 0.004), diabetes medicines, and its negative psychosocial impacts (OR = 1.57;CI = 1.04, 2.38, p = 0.03), predicted higher odds of having a diabetes home at T2. Beliefs that medicines are harmful predicted lower odds of a diabetes home (OR = 0.56;CI = 0.37,0.85, p = 0.006). Necessity beliefs (OR = 1.2;CI = 1.06,1.36, p = 0.004), and self-management support (OR = 1.5;CI = 1.08,2.07, p = 0.01) predicted higher odds of having ≥ 1 diabetes care visit, harm beliefs predicted lower odds (OR = 0.6;CI = 0.41,0.88, p = 0.01). Sub-optimal healthcare usage, common in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes, is predicted by beliefs about medicines, diabetes impact, and self-management support. We must address these factors to help this vulnerable group establish stable diabetes care.