Substance Use in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes in the T1D Exchange

Abstract

Substance use can have adverse effects on many health conditions, yet little is known about the prevalence of use in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We evaluated the frequency of use and problem use of psychoactive substances in adults with T1D. Standardized instruments for assessing tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use were emailed to 4311 adult participants at 69 T1D Exchange Clinic Registry centers. A total of 936 respondents (61% female, 90% non-hispanic white, age 38±16 years) completed the survey. In the sample, tobacco use was reported by 166 (18%) participants in the past year and 51 (5%) daily (Figure 1). Past year alcohol use was reported by 742 (79%) participants, past month use by 592 (63%) and daily or near daily use by 87 (9%). Use of any other psychoactive substance in the past year was reported by 228 respondents (24%), with marijuana being the most commonly used substance (Figure 2). Past year problem use of these substances was noted in 31 (3%) respondents. Adults with T1D in the U.S. use substances at rates that meet or exceed that of the general population; problematic use occurs at rates similar to the general population. These data delineate the need to inquire about regular, intermittent and problematic use of nicotine, alcohol, and other substances in individuals with T1D. A better understanding of the impact of moderate and occasional use of substances on T1D management and clinical outcomes is also needed. Disclosure N. Petry: None. N.C. Foster: None. E. Cengiz: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; MannKind Corporation, ADOCIA, Arecor. W.V. Tamborlane: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Medtronic MiniMed, Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.. J. Wagner: None. S. Polsky: Research Support; Self; Dexcom, Inc.. Other Relationship; Self; T1D Exchange. Research Support; Self; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.