High Diabetes-related Distress Research Articles

Cross-sectional associations of self-perceived stress and hair cortisol with metabolic outcomes and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

Increasing evidence supports chronic psychological stress as a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. Much less is known, however, about the role of chronic stress in established diabetes. The aim of the current study was to comprehensively assess chronic stress in a sample of 73 patients with type 2 diabetes and 48 non-diabetic control participants, and to investigate associations with indicators of glycemic control (HbA1c), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), β-cell functioning (C-peptide), illness duration, and the presence of microvascular complications. Chronic stress was measured using questionnaires [the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Screening Scale of the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (SSCS), the Perceived Health Questionnaire (PHQ) as well as the Questionnaire on Stress in Patients with Diabetes-Revised (QSD-R)]; hair cortisol was used as a biological indicator. We found that patients with type 2 diabetes had higher levels of hair cortisol in comparison to the control group (F(1,112) = 5.3; p = 0.023). Within the diabetic group, higher hair cortisol was associated with a longer duration of the illness (r = 0.25, p = 0.04). General perceived stress did not show significant associations with metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients. In contrast, higher diabetes-related distress, as measured with the QSD-R, was associated with lower glycemic control (r = 0.28, p = 0.02), higher insulin resistance (r = 0.26, p = 0.03) and a longer duration of the illness (r = 0.30, p = 0.01). Our results corroborate the importance of chronic psychological stress in type 2 diabetes. It appears, however, that once type 2 diabetes has developed, diabetes-specific distress gains in importance over general subjective stress. On a biological level, increased cortisol production could be linked to the course of the illness.

Prospective health care costs and lost work days associated with diabetes-related distress and depression symptoms among 1488 individuals with diabetes

The aim of this study was to investigating the impact of major depression symptoms and diabetes-related distress on future health care costs and lost workdays in individuals with diabetes. We linked survey data from a random sample of a German statutory health insurance (SHI) with diabetes (n = 1488, 63.0% male, mean age 66.9 years) with their SHI data one year after the survey. Within the survey data we identified major depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and diabetes-related distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale). We retrieved health care costs and lost workdays from SHI data. To assess the impact of major depression symptoms and diabetes-related distress on health care costs and lost workdays, we adjusted regression models for age, sex, education, employment status, and diabetes duration, type, and severity. Major depression symptoms were associated with significantly higher costs (by a factor of 1.49; 95% CI: 1.18–1.88). Lost workdays were also more likely for respondents with depression symptoms (RR1.34; 0.97–1.86). Health care costs (by a factor of 0.81; 0.66–1.01) and the risk of lost workdays (RR 0.86; 0.62–1.18) may be lower among respondents with high diabetes-related distress. While major depression and diabetes-related distress have overlapping indicators, our results indicate different impacts on health care costs.

Implications of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures among patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes

BackgroundFor the past two decades, the assessment of the quality of diabetes care has mostly relied on clinical quality indicators. These have not included Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) which provide information on outcomes deemed valuable by patients. We aimed to examine the potential utility of PROMs in type 2 diabetes care and to study the association of PROMs with patients' characteristics and clinical quality indicators.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of recently (≤ 4 years) diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 392) in the setting of a large health plan. PROMs were based on two well-validated questionnaires, the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) one-page questionnaire that measures diabetes-related distress, and the ten item PROMIS-10 global health questionnaire that measures general health. Additional items were added following a previous qualitative study among Israeli patients with diabetes. The survey was carried out using phone interviews, and data collected were linked to the electronic medical records. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the associations of socio-demographic variables and clinical quality indicators with the PROMs.ResultsAbout a fifth of participants (22%) had high diabetes-related distress (PAID score ≥ 40), a third reported that they did not feel confident in self-management of diabetes and about a third reported having sexual dysfunction. Women, younger patients, and those with a low education level (≤ 12 years) reported worse general health, were more likely to experience high diabetes-related distress, and to have low confidence in diabetes self-management. Interestingly, performance of all seven diabetes quality indicators was associated with worse general health and high diabetes-related distress. Of note, levels of glycated hemoglobin, LDL-cholesterol, or blood pressure were not associated with PROMs.ConclusionsPROMs provide important information on patient self-reported health status and are likely to reflect aspects of the quality of care that are not otherwise available to clinicians. Thus, the use of PROMs has the potential to expand the evaluation of diabetes care and promote patient-centered care. We recommend that policy-makers in the Ministry of Health and health maintenance organizations implement PROMs for assessing and improving the care for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effect of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring in people with diabetes with a psychosocial indication for initiation.

To understand the effect of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) in people with diabetes with a 'psychosocial' indication for access. The study utilized baseline and follow-up data from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists nationwide audit of people with diabetes in the UK. Diabetes-related distress (DRD) was assessed using the two-item diabetes-related distress scale (DDS). Participants were categorized into two groups: high DRD (DDS score ≥ 3) and lower DRD (DDS score < 3). The t-test was used to assess the difference in the pre- and post-isCGM continuous variables. The study consisted of 17 036 people with diabetes, with 1314 (7%) using isCGM for 'psychosocial' reasons. Follow-up data were available for 327 participants, 322 (99%) of whom had type 1 diabetes with a median diabetes duration of 15 years; 75% (n = 241) had high levels of DRD. With the initiation of isCGM, after a mean follow-up period of 6.9 months, there was a significant reduction in DDS score; 4 at baseline versus 2.5 at follow-up (P < .001). The prevalence of high DRD reduced from 76% to 38% at follow-up (50% reduction in DRD, P < .001). There was also a significant reduction in HbA1c (78.5 mmol/mol [9.3%] at baseline vs. 66.5 mmol/mol [8.2%] at follow-up; P < .001). This group also experienced an 87% reduction in hospital admissions because of hyperglycaemia/diabetic ketoacidosis (P < .001). People with diabetes who had isCGM initiated for a psychosocial indication had high levels of DRD and HbA1c, which improved with the use of isCGM.

Prevalence and predictors of diabetes-related distress in adults with type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a chronic disease requiring lifelong insulin therapy and rigorous self-management. As it negatively impacts the affected individuals’ quality of life, it may eventually lead to diabetes-related distress. This study evaluated the prevalence and identified the predictors of diabetes-related distress in a representative sample of adults with T1DM treated at secondary and tertiary levels in Croatia. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in adults with T1DM in Croatia (N = 100). Data were collected between January 2018 and December 2018 from medical records and interviews during a single clinical visit, when participants completed a 20-item Problem Area in Diabetes (PAID) Questionnaire. The proportion of participants with a total PAID score ≥ 40 indicating high diabetes-related distress was calculated, and binary logistic regression was run to determine predictors. High diabetes-related distress was found in 36% of participants, with a mean PAID total score of 31.9 (21.1). The predictors of diabetes-related distress were higher HbA1c level (OR = 1.491, p = 0.037, CI = 1.025–2.169) and the presence of microvascular complications (OR = 4.611, p = 0.005; 95%CI 1.546–13.754). Worrying about the future and chronic complications and feeling guilty when off-track with diabetes management were identified as items that contribute the most to distress. Diabetes-related distress is a frequent condition in adults with T1DM in Croatia. Special attention should be given to patients with suboptimal glycemic control and microvascular complications. Given the high prevalence and impact of psychosocial problems in diabetes, psychological care should be integrated into routine care for adults with type 1 diabetes.

Capturing Diabetes-Related Distress and Burden From the Perspective of Patients With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for an Explorative Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundDiabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality of life. Many patients experience high diabetes-related distress as well as depression and anxiety symptoms, which are associated with poor diabetes self-management. As disease management is a central component in diabetes treatment, poor management enhances the occurrence of micro- and macrovascular complications. This emphasizes the relevance of reducing diabetes-related distress and providing adequate treatment options addressing the individual psychosocial burden of patients with diabetes. Since patients’ perspectives diverge significantly from those of practitioners in terms of relevant treatment aspects, the patient perspective on, for example, barriers to and facilitators of diabetes treatment is crucial for adequate and effective treatment as well as improvements to self-management and therefore, needs to be further explored.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine diabetes-related distress, the course of distress throughout diabetes management, as well as barriers and facilitating factors in dealing with diabetes from the individual perspective of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe study employs a mixed methods design combining qualitative and quantitative data. Semistructured interviews (N=40) will be conducted with patients with type 1 diabetes (n=20) and patients with type 2 diabetes (n=20). The primary outcomes comprise (1) diabetes-related distress, (2) the severity of distress, (3) the course of distress throughout diabetes management, (4) barriers, and (5) facilitating factors. Questionnaires will provide data on the following secondary outcomes: diabetes-related emotional distress (the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale), symptoms of depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire, German version), personality functioning (Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis-Structure Questionnaire), mentalizing capacities (Mentalization Questionnaire), epistemic trust (Epistemic Trust, Mistrust and Credulity Questionnaire) and experiences of child maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), and the overall health status of the patient (routine medical data).ResultsAs of April 2022, the conceptualization phase of the study was finalized. Ethics approval was received in January 2022 from the local ethics committee of the Justus Liebig University Giessen – Faculty of Medicine (AZ 161/21).ConclusionsThis study will provide insights into the individual perspective of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes regarding their experiences with diabetes management and what they perceive to be relevant, obstructive, or beneficial. The insights gained could help further tailor diabetes treatment to the individual needs of patients with diabetes and therefore optimize diabetes self-management.Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trial Register DRKS00024999; https://tinyurl.com/2wb4xdh8International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/38477

IDF21-0182 Evaluating diabetes related distress in people with Type 2 DM – Insights from Diabefly Digital Therapeutics Platform

Background: Diabetes management is a lifelong process. This can add significant stress to an individual’s life. Stress raises blood sugar levels, impairs glucose tolerance, increases insulin resistance and impacts blood pressure. In India, there are no previous studies related to how digital therapeutics can help in dealing with several emotional and stress related concerns among people with Type 2 DM. In order to design an effective lifestyle modification program for management of issues like depression, anxiety and diabetes related distress, it is important to understand to what extent the disease has impacted people physically as well as emotionally. Hence, it becomes imperative to assess an individual’s stress levels so that a highly customized diabetes management program can be designed. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of distress among Indians who were diagnosed with Type 2 DM through Diabefly Digital Therapeutics platform. Method: 130 participants diagnosed with Type 2 DM were randomly included in the sample (57 females and 73 males with mean age = 46.8 years and SD = 12.16) from different parts of India who were a part of the Diabefly Digital Therapeutics program. This program provides virtual support to people with a multidisciplinary approach, having virtual support extended by psychologists, nutritionists and physiotherapists through mobile application. Digital logging of meals, app based psychometric assessments as well as access to motivational content are some of the key features of the program. Initial assessment of participants was done using Diabetes Distress Scale to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with diabetes related distress. The Spearman method was used for correlation analysis. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: 55% of participants had high diabetes distress, 60% had high emotional burden of diabetes, 58% had high regimen distress, 23% had high interpersonal distress and 31% had high physician distress. HbA1c at baseline was found to be significantly correlated with physician distress (r = 0.176, P = 0.046). Discussion: The study demonstrates the assessment of diabetes related distress among participants using digital therapeutics program. Diabetes distress has been found to be significantly high. This indicates that emotional distress resulting from living with diabetes or the relentless burden of daily self-management of diabetes is definitely a core area of concern which needs attention. Harmony in relationships and adequate family support is also important in order to manage the increasing demands of the disease. Specialized psychotherapeutic intervention needs to be designed for managing diabetes for individuals who have high diabetes related distress, in order to help them manage their sugar levels effectively. On the basis of the results, it must be concluded that focussing on emotional and mental health is equally important as it is to pay attention to the physical health of people with diabetes, in order to manage the disease effectively.

Predictors of diabetes-related distress before and after FreeStyle Libre-1 use: Lessons from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists nationwide study.

To identify the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics associated with diabetes-related distress (DRD) and factors associated with improvement in DRD after initiating use of the FreeStyle Libre (FSL) in people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The study was performed using baseline and follow-up data from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists nationwide audit of people with diabetes who initiated use of the FSL in the United Kingdom. DRD was assessed using the two-item diabetes-related distress scale (DDS; defined as the average of the two-item score ≥3). People living with T1D were categorized into two groups: those with high DRD, defined as an average DDS score ≥3 and those with lower DRD, defined as a DDS score <3. We used a gradient-boosting machine-learning (GBM) model to identify the relative influence (RI) of baseline variables on average DDS score. The study population consisted of 9159 patients, 96.6% of whom had T1D. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 45.1(32-56) years, 50.1% were women, the median (IQR) baseline body mass index was 26.1 (23.2-29.6) kg/m2 and the median (IQR) duration of diabetes was 20 (11-32) years. The two components of the DDS were significantly correlated (r2 =0.73; P < 0.0001). Higher DRD was prevalent in 53% (4879/9159) of people living with T1D at baseline. In the GBM model, the top baseline variables associated with average DDS score were baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; RI=51.1), baseline Gold score (RI=23.3), gender (RI=7.05) and fear of hypoglycaemia (RI=4.96). Follow-up data were available for 3312 participants. The top factors associated with improvement in DDS score following use of the FSL were change in Gold score (RI=28.2) and change in baseline HbA1c (RI=19.3). In this large UK cohort of people living with T1D, diabetes distress was prevalent and associated with higher HbA1c, impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and female gender. Improvement in glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia unawareness with the use of the FSL was associated with improvement in DRD in people living with T1D.

Thoughts about health and patient-reported outcomes among people with diabetes mellitus: results from the DiaDec-study

BackgroundThere is considerable evidence that repetitive negative thoughts are often associated with adverse health outcomes. The study aims are (i) to identify the frequency and valence of thoughts about health in people with diabetes mellitus using questions based on the day reconstruction method (DRM) and (ii) to analyse associations between thoughts about health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), diabetes-related distress and depressive symptoms.MethodsCross-sectional study of a random sample of a German statutory health insurance population with diabetes aged between 18 and 80 linking questionnaire and claims data. Associations between frequency and valence of thoughts about health on a previous day and HRQoL assessed by a 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, diabetes-related distress assessed using the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale and depressive symptoms assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were analysed using linear and logistic regression analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.ResultsThoughts about health were analysed in 726 participants (86% type 2 diabetes, 62% male, mean age 67.6 ± 9.7 years). A total of 46% had not thought about their health the day before, 17.1% reported low frequency and negative thoughts, 21.4% low frequency and positive thoughts, 12.1% high frequency and negative thoughts and 3.4% high frequency and positive thoughts. The presence of thoughts about health irrespective of their frequency and valence is associated with a lower physical and mental component summary score of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Negative thoughts are associated with high diabetes-related distress. Frequent or negative thoughts are associated with depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThoughts about health are a part of everyday life for a substantial number of people with diabetes. Surprisingly, even positive thoughts are associated with poorer HRQoL in our study. Further research within the DRM paradigm is needed to understand how thoughts about health may affect people’s (assessment of) state of health. Thoughts about health should be considered in diabetes education and patient counselling with a view to preventing and treating emotional disorders. More attention should be paid to the outcomes of interventions that may themselves lead to an increase in the frequency of thoughts about health.

Benefits of Brief Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Diabetes-Related Distress and HbA1c in Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Thailand.

This study evaluated the short-term efficacy of brief group cognitive behavioral therapy (BG-CBT) in reducing diabetes-related distress (DRD), lowering hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), improving food consumption behavior, increasing physical activity, and improving medication adherence behavior. A quasi-experimental pretest/post-test design with follow-up assessments was used with an experimental and a control group. Participants were patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and moderate or high diabetes-related distress recruited from the Diabetes Mellitus Clinic of Hang Dong Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Fifty-six eligible participants were purposively selected and enrolled, then randomly assigned to either the BG-CBT group or the control group. The BG-CBT group received six brief weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral group therapy, while the control group received conventional care. Baseline data were collected at week 0 (pretest) and at week 6 (post-test), including food consumption behavior, physical activity, and adherence to medication regimes, as well as a blood examination to determine levels of HbA1c at the week 12 follow-up. DRD was assessed using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including pair t-test and independence t-test results. The BG-CBT had a significant effect on the amelioration of diabetes distress, improvement of food consumption behavior, and reduction of HbA1c levels, demonstrating the effectiveness of BG-CBT in maintaining diabetes control in people with T2DM-related distress.

The cognitive and psychological effects of living with type 1 diabetes: a narrative review.

Across the lifespan, type 1 diabetes mellitus has a profound (neuro)psychological impact. In young people, type 1 diabetes can interfere with psychosocial development and hamper school performance. In adulthood, it can interfere with work life, relationships and parenting. A substantial minority of adults with type 1 diabetes experience coping difficulties and high diabetes‐related distress. In youth and adulthood, type 1 diabetes is related to mild cognitive decrements as well as affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety. There is limited literature available that explores the interaction between cognitive and psychological comorbidity and underlying mechanisms. The aims of the present narrative review were to summarize the current state of the literature regarding both cognitive and psychological comorbidities in type 1 diabetes across the lifespan, and to explore potential links between the two domains of interest to make suggestions for future research and clinical practice.

Decreased Quality of Life in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated with Emotional Distress.

Background: individuals with type 2 diabetes show emotional distress as they learn how to cope with the disease. The emotional distress increases the possibility of complications in these patients. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the impact of the emotional distress in the quality of life of individuals with diabetes, and to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the emotional distress of living with diabetes in a Mexican population. Methods: a total of 422 Mexican individuals with type 2 diabetes were recruited from the outpatient Diabetes Clinic of the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad Dr. Gustavo A. Rovirosa of Villahermosa, Tabasco. Demographic and clinical characteristics along with quality of life (SF-36) were assessed in these individuals. The emotional distress of living with diabetes was measured using the 5-item Problem Areas in Diabetes. Patients were divided according to the presence of high or low distress. Results: we identified that 31.8% (n = 134) of patients presented high diabetes-related emotional distress. We observed that hepatic diseases as comorbidities (p = 0.008) and diagnosis of major depression (p = 0.04) are factors associated with the emotional distress of living with diabetes. These patients showed a reduced quality of life in all dimensions (p < 0.001); the most affected dimensions were physical role (d = 0.37) and general health (d = 0.89) showing lower scores in comparison with patients with low emotional distress. Conclusions: our results suggest that Mexican individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus show high emotional distress living with the disease and have a decreased quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to decrease factors associated with the high emotional distress of living with diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Current Smoking: An Independent Predictor of Elevated A1C in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the association of current smoking as one of several potential predictors of elevated A1C in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Using a cross-sectional design, baseline data (N = 282) were analyzed from a randomized clinical trial examining treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in persons with T2D. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral data were collected using questionnaires and physical examinations. Physical activity (mean daily steps walked) was measured with the BodyMedia Armband. Participants were asked if they never smoked, had previously smoked, or currently smoke. The sample distributions of demographic and clinical characteristics were examined using descriptive statistics. Continuous variables were described using means and standard deviations; categorical variables were described as numbers and percentages. Multiple linear regression analysis with backward selection was conducted to develop a parsimonious predictive model for the dependent variable A1C. Results Participants were generally middle-aged and, on average, obese with suboptimal blood glucose control; almost 1 of every 5 participants currently smoked. After controlling for age, race, education, financial difficulty, diabetes education, physical activity, and diabetes knowledge, 4 variables were found in the final model to be independently associated with higher A1C: (1) current smoking status, (2) younger age, (3) longer diabetes duration, and (4) higher diabetes-related distress. Conclusions The study found that not only is smoking prevalent among persons with T2D with self-reported sleep problems but smoking is also an independent predictor of elevated A1C. The results highlight the vital role diabetes educators have in promoting risk reduction through education and support for smoking cessation.

Low empowerment and diabetes regimen distress are related to HbA1c in low income type 1 diabetes patients in a Brazilian tertiary public hospital

BackgroundAdults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a high risk of developing depressive symptoms and diabetes-related distress (DD). Low socioeconomic level is associated with increased risk of poor self-management, treatment difficulties and psychological distress. The goals of this study were to document the frequency of major depressive disorder (MDD), high depressive symptoms and high DD, to assess levels of empowerment and to determine the association with each of these measures and glycemic control in a low-income Brazilian sample of adults with T1D.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and diagnosis of T1D > 6 months. Exclusion criteria were cognitive impairment, history of major psychiatric disorders, severe diabetes-related complications and pregnancy. Diagnoses of MDD were made using interview-based DSM-5 criteria. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD-D). The Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) assessed DD. Empowerment levels were evaluated by the Diabetes Empowerment Scale short form (DES-SF). Glycemic control was measured by HbA1c. The latest lipid panel results were recorded. Number of complications was obtained from medical records.ResultsOf the 63 T1D patients recruited, 36.5% were male, mean age was 31.5 (± 8.9), mean number of complications was 1 (± 1.1), and mean HbA1c was 10.0% (± 2). Frequency of MDD was 34.9% and 34.9% reported high depressive symptoms. Fifty-seven percent reported clinically meaningful DD. High diabetes regimen distress and low empowerment were associated to HbA1c (p = 0.003; p = 0.01, respectively). In multivariate analyses, lower empowerment levels were associated to higher HbA1c (beta − 1.11; r-partial 0.09; p value 0.0126). MDD and depressive symptoms were not significantly correlated with HbA1c in this expected direction (p = 0.72; p = 0.97, respectively).ConclusionsThis study showed high rates of MDD, high depressive symptoms and high DD and low levels of empowerment in this low income population. Empowerment and diabetes regimen distress were linked to glycemic control. The results emphasize the need to incorporate the psychological and psychosocial side of diabetes into strategies of care and education for T1D patients.

Risk factors and quality of life of patients with high diabetes-related distress in primary care: a cross-sectional, multicenter study.

This study aimed to examine risk factors and quality of life of patients with high diabetes-related distress (DRD) in primary care. A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in four primary healthcare institutions. Patients aged ≥ 21years with T2DM were included; patients who were pregnant or unable to communicate independently were excluded from this study. The problem area in diabetes (PAID) measuring DRD, European quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), and audit of diabetes-dependent quality of life (ADDQoL) measuring quality of life were administered by trained research assistants. A total of 525 patients were eligible for this study. The mean PAID score was 26.90 ± 20.23, with 27.8% of patients reporting having high DRD (PAID score ≥ 40). Patients who were younger than 50years (OR 4.577, 95% CI 1.977-10.600) and patients with HbA1c greater than 9% (OR 1.720, 95% CI 1.064-2.779) were at higher risk of having high DRD (p < 0.05). Patients with high DRD have a lower EQ-5D index value (B = - 0.141) and ADDQoL AWI (B = - 1.276) than patients with little/no DRD (p < 0.001). High DRD was more common among younger patients and patients with poorer glycemic control. High DRD was associated with poorer quality of life and early screening and management of DRD is recommended.

Current Smoking—An Independent Predictor of Elevated A1C in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

While the cardiovascular risk of smoking is well documented in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D), less is known about the impact of smoking on glycemic control in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine predictors, including smoking status, of elevated A1C in a sample of adults with T2D. This secondary analysis used baseline data from adults (N=256; 48% male) recruited for the Diabetes Sleep Treatment Trial. Participants were queried on demographics, diabetes-related distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes), diabetes knowledge (Diabetes Knowledge Test), and smoking behavior (never/former/current). A clinical assessment obtained height and weight to calculate BMI (kg/m2) and A1C. Non-smokers (53%; n=136) and former smokers (28%; n=72) were similar (p ≥.05) in terms of age, A1C, BMI, diabetes-related distress and knowledge; however, current smokers (19%; n=48) were less obese (BMI 33.3 [SD 6.5] vs. 36.1 [SD 6.9] kg/m2, p=.016), more likely to be non-Caucasian, have lower education, more financial difficulty, higher diabetes-related distress, and lower diabetes knowledge than non-smokers (all p-values &amp;lt;.05). Using hierarchical regression diabetes duration, diabetes distress, and current smoking status were identified as predictors of higher A1C. We conclude smoking is associated with lower BMI and higher A1C, providing further support for counseling for smoking cessation in adults with T2D.Final model of regression to predict glucose control (A1C)VariableUnstandardized bStd. ErrorBetaSig.95% CI for bLowerUpperDuration of diabetes-.458.220-.126.038-.890-.026Diabetes-related distress.020.005.230&amp;lt;.001.009.030Current Smoker.686.283.150.010.1821.305N=256; Duration of diabetes = &amp;lt;10 years vs.10 or more years; Diabetes-related distress= scores on Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire; Current smoker compared with non-smoker or former smoker.Sex, race, financial difficulty, education, and former smoking status not significant; removed from final modelModel Summary: Adj. R2= .098; p&amp;lt;.001 Disclosure E.R. Chasens: None. S.M. Sereika: None. M. DiNardo: None. V.A. Weinzierl: None. A.L. Hoenstine: None. M.T. Korytkowski: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Other Relationship; Self; JAEB Center For Health Research.

The Emotional Side of Diabetes and Glycemic Control in a Brazilian Sample of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a higher risk of developing depression symptoms during their lives and new research shows that over 40% of T1Ds experience elevated diabetes-related distress (DD). Psychosocial assessment is recommended as a critical part of patient-centered care in order to promote better diabetes outcomes and psychosocial well-being. The goals of this study were to document the prevalence of and relationships among Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), depression symptoms and DD, and to determine the linkage each of these measures with glycemic control in a Brazilian sample of adults with T1D at The State University of Campinas, Brazil. In a cross-sectional study, 70 T1D adults were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 and diagnosis of T1D ≥ 6 months. Exclusion criteria were cognitive impairment, history of major psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, drug addiction, dementia), and severe diabetes-related complications (blindness, need for hemodialysis, limb amputations, stroke). Diagnoses of MDD was made using DSM-5 criteria. Depression symptoms were evaluated by the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD-D). The Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) assessed DD. Metabolic control was evaluated by HbA1c. The latest lipid panel results were recorded and BMI was calculated. Number of complications was obtained from medical records. Forty percent of T1Ds were male, mean age 31(±8,8), mean number of complications was 1 (± 1.2), and mean HbA1c was 10.0%(±2). Frequency of MDD was 30,0% and 35,7% reported high depression symptoms. Fifty-two percent reported high DD. Only DD and depression symptoms were each significantly and positively associated with HbA1C (p &amp;lt; .05). This study shows that several measures that reflect the emotional side of diabetes are related to glycemic control. They emphasize the need to incorporate the emotional side of diabetes into strategies of care for adults with T1D. Disclosure M.S.M. Silveira: None. M.C. Parisi: None. K. Ruppert: None. A. Moura Neto: None. L.M. Siminerio: None. A.C. Sposito: None. M. Funnell: Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi US, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. E.J. Pavin: None. L. Fisher: Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Abbott, Merck &amp; Co., Inc..

Peer characteristics associated with improved glycemic control in a randomized controlled trial of a reciprocal peer support program for diabetes.

In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of diabetes reciprocal peer support, we examined characteristics of peers associated with improvements in their partner's glycemic control. A total of 102 adults with diabetes were randomized to the reciprocal peer support arm (vs. a nurse care management arm). The primary outcome was change in A1c over six months. Intermediate outcomes were insulin initiation and peer engagement. A number of baseline characteristics of peers were hypothesized to influence outcomes for their peer, and concordant characteristics of peer dyads were hypothesized that would influence outcomes for both peer partners. Improvement in A1c was associated with having a peer older than oneself ( P < .05) or with higher diabetes-related distress ( P < .01). Participants with peers who reported poorer health at baseline had worse glycemic control at follow-up ( P < .01). Hypothesized concordant characteristics were not associated with A1c improvements. Participants whose peers had a more controlled self-regulation style were more likely to initiate insulin ( P < .05). The improved outcomes of peers whose partners were older and reported more diabetes distress at baseline supports the need for further research into the peer characteristics that lead to improved outcomes. This could allow for better matching and more effective partnerships.

Diabetes-Related Distress Assessment among Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

Background and Objectives Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases; it is a debilitating and hard to live with. Diabetes-related distress (DRD) refers to the emotional and behavioral changes caused by diabetes. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of DRD among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients using Diabetes Distress Scale-17 items (DDS-17) and its relation to complications and treatment modalities. Methods A cross-sectional study of adult T2D patients with follow-up visits at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Taif, Saudi Arabia, between January and July 2017. We excluded patients with other forms of diabetes, untreated hypothyroidism, and psychiatric illness. The total score of DDS-17 was calculated by summing the 17 items' results and then dividing the total by 17. If the total score was >2, then it was considered as clinically significant results (moderate distress), but if it is ≥3, then it is classified as a high distress. Results A total of 509 T2D patients with a mean age of 58 ± 14 years were included. The majority of participants were male, married, not college educated, and reported a sedentary lifestyle. We found 25% of the screened T2D patients have moderate to high DRD. Regarding the DRD components, emotional distress was the most prevalent followed by physician-related distress. HabA1c was significantly higher in those with high combined distress and high emotional distress compared to those with mild/moderate distress (p = 0.015 and 0.030, resp.). Conclusion Our study shows that DRD is a medically relevant issue that clinicians need to address. Despite observing a low prevalence of DRD compared to other studies, we found significant correlations between DRD scores and HabA1c, triglyceride levels, BMI, T2D duration, and interval between visits.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia: Also Effective in Patients with Psychological Distress?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether psychological distress modifies the effect of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia. Fifty-two patients with T1D and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia participated in an earlier reported randomized crossover trial with two 16-week intervention periods comparing CGM with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). During the CGM phase, time spent in euglycemia (4-10 mmol/L), the primary outcome, was 9.6% higher compared with the SMBG phase (P < 0.0001). Psychological distress was operationalized as low emotional well-being (World Health Organization Well-being Index 5 [WHO-5] < 50), high diabetes-related distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes 5 [PAID-5] ≥ 8), and/or high fear of hypoglycemia (Hypoglycemia Fear Survey [HFS] Worry > mean HFS Worry score +1 standard deviation). Modifying effects were assessed by analyzing psychological distress score × intervention-interaction effects. Results showed that both the low emotional well-being group and normal emotional well-being group had equal glycemic outcomes during the CGM phase. High diabetes distress and elevated fear of hypoglycemia did not result in significant interaction effects for glycemic outcomes. This study demonstrated that CGM is equally effective in terms of glycemic improvements in high versus low distressed patients with T1D and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia.