Using stories to explore the lived experience of alcohol consumption in people with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Abstract Background: Evidence supports the risks of dangerous episodes of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, or extreme glucose variability in type 1 diabetes during and after alcohol consumption. Minimal evidence regarding preventative self‐care strategies exists, and people with type 1 diabetes can develop personal tactics to overcome risks. Combining the lived experience of managing alcohol consumption while living with diabetes will enrich new patient and health care professional education.Methods: Participants were recruited from social media, and attended between one and three online storytelling workshops. Demographic data were collected by questionnaire, and qualitative data were collected by note‐taking during the online sessions and evaluated by thematic analysis.Results: Nine participants aged 18–36 years (type 1 diabetes = seven [three female], and type 2 diabetes = two [both male]) were recruited. Insulin administration was by multiple daily injection therapy (n=5 including one type 2 diabetes), continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (n=3) without hybrid closed loop, and sulphonylurea plus morning long‐acting analogue insulin (n=1 type 2 diabetes). From the nine participant stories three diabetic ketoacidosis, three hypoglycaemia, and one extreme glucose variability episodes occurred. Four clustered themes were found: living with diabetes, managing alcohol, app development suggestions, and future development suggestions.Discussion: New insights discovered were: distressing glucose risks including diabetic ketoacidosis episodes, misinterpretation of glucose and intoxication symptoms, trial and error approaches, and non‐disclosure to health care professionals regarding severe glucose situations. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.