Evaluating the Implementation of the Diabetes Self-Management Program in a Rural Population

The evidence-based Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) has been shown to improve a variety of health-related outcomes, but the program has been challenging to implement in rural areas, and rural dissemination has been low. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of implementing the DSMP on self-reported outcomes in a rural region. Through a collaboration with multiple partners, the Living Well program delivered 28 DSMP workshops from 2017 to 2019. Data were collected to determine whether there were post-intervention changes in patient-reported outcomes on measures of diabetes distress, self-management, and patient activation. In addition, secondary analysis of A1C was abstracted from the medical records of participants with type 2 diabetes who completed at least four sessions of a DSMP workshop between 2017 and 2019 and whose medical records had a A1C value in the year before the program and at least one A1C value >3 months after the program. Statistically significant improvements were seen for the Diabetes Distress Scale (P = 0.0017), the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (P <0.0001) and the 10-item Patient Activation Measure (P <0.0001). There was no evidence of change in A1C over time in analyses of all participants (P = 0.5875), but a consistent though nonsignificant (P = 0.1087) decline in A1C was seen for a subset of participants with a baseline A1C ≥8%. This evaluation provides preliminary support for implementing the DSMP as part of a comprehensive treatment and self-management plan for people living with diabetes in rural areas.

Psychometric validation of diabetes distress scale in Bangladeshi population

Diabetes Distress (DD)—an emotional or affective state arise from challenge of living with diabetes and the burden of self-care—negatively impact diabetes management and quality of life of T2DM patients. Early detection and management of DD is key to efficient T2DM management. The study aimed at developing a valid and reliable instrument for Bangladeshi patients as unavailability such a tool posing challenge in diabetes care. Linguistically adapted, widely used, 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), developed through forward–backward translation from English to Bengali, was administered on 1184 T2DM patients, from four diabetes hospitals in Bangladesh. Psychometric assessment of the instrument included, construct validity using principal component factor analysis, internal consistency using Cronbach’s α and discriminative validity through independent t-test and test–retest reliability using intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC) and Kappa statistics. Factor analysis extracted 4 components similar to original DDS domains, confirms the construct validity. The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.838), stability (test–retest ICC = 0.941) and good agreement across repeated measurements (Kappa = 0.584). Discriminative validity revealed that patients with complication (p < 0.001) and those are on insulin (p < 0.001) had significantly higher distress scores in all domains. Bengali version of DDS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing distress among Bangladeshi T2DM patients.

Diabetes Distress in Young Adults with Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes: TODAY2 Study Results

Objectives<b>:</b> To assess prevalence of high diabetes distress and associated factors in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY2) cohort of young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes. <p>Methods<b>:</b> Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) at end-of-study visits. Factors examined for association with high distress were demographic (gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, income), medical (HbA1c, BMI, complications), psychological (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and social (number in household, have offspring, healthcare coverage, established with diabetes care provider). Univariate logistic regressions identified factors associated with high distress that were controlled for in multivariate logistic regressions.</p> <p><a>Results<b>:</b></a> Of 438 participants, 66% were female, mean age=26.8 years, 18% non-Hispanic white, 37% non-Hispanic Black, 38% Hispanic. High distress (DDS ≥2) was reported by 105 (24%) participants. Subscales identified 40% with high “Regimen Distress,” 29.7% with high “Emotional Burden.” <a>A greater percentage of those with high distress were female (p=0.002), diagnosed with hypertension (p=0.037) and retinopathy (p=0.005), insulin treated, had higher HbA1c, and moderate-to-severe depressive and anxiety symptoms (all p’s <0.001). </a>In multivariate analyses, female gender, HbA1c (p<0.001 for both), anxiety symptoms (p=0.036), and lack of healthcare coverage (p=0.019) were associated with high distress, controlling for potential confounders. Reporting moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms was associated with high regimen distress (p=0.018) and emotional burden (p<0.001); insulin treatment was associated with high emotional burden (p=0.027).</p> <p>Conclusion: Future research should identify modifiable factors associated with high diabetes distress in those with youth-onset type 2 diabetes that may inform distress interventions with this medically vulnerable group.</p>

Diabetes Distress in Young Adults With Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: TODAY2 Study Results

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of high diabetes distress and associated factors in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY2) study cohort of young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) at end-of-study visits. Factors examined for association with high distress were demographic (sex, race/ethnicity, age, education, income), medical (HbA1c, BMI, complications), psychological (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and social (number in household, offspring, health care coverage, established with diabetes care provider). Univariate logistic regression identified factors associated with high distress that were controlled for in multivariate logistic regressions. RESULTS Of 438 participants, 66% were female (mean age 26.8 years, 18% non-Hispanic White, 37% non-Hispanic Black, 38% Hispanic). High distress (DDS ≥2) was reported by 105 (24%) participants. Subscales identified 40% with high regimen distress and 29.7% with high emotional burden. A greater percentage of those with high distress were female (P = 0.002), diagnosed with hypertension (P = 0.037) and retinopathy (P = 0.005), treated with insulin, had higher HbA1c, and had moderate to severe depressive and anxiety symptoms (all P &lt; 0.001). In multivariate analyses, female sex (P &lt; 0.001), HbA1c (P &lt; 0.001), anxiety symptoms (P = 0.036), and lack of health care coverage (P = 0.019) were associated with high distress, after controlling for potential confounders. Moderate to severe depressive symptoms were associated with high regimen distress (P = 0.018) and emotional burden (P &lt; 0.001); insulin treatment was associated with high emotional burden (P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS Future research should identify modifiable factors associated with high diabetes distress in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes that may inform distress interventions with this medically vulnerable group.

Diabetes Distress in Young Adults with Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes: TODAY2 Study Results

Objectives<b>:</b> To assess prevalence of high diabetes distress and associated factors in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY2) cohort of young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes. <p>Methods<b>:</b> Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) at end-of-study visits. Factors examined for association with high distress were demographic (gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, income), medical (HbA1c, BMI, complications), psychological (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and social (number in household, have offspring, healthcare coverage, established with diabetes care provider). Univariate logistic regressions identified factors associated with high distress that were controlled for in multivariate logistic regressions.</p> <p><a>Results<b>:</b></a> Of 438 participants, 66% were female, mean age=26.8 years, 18% non-Hispanic white, 37% non-Hispanic Black, 38% Hispanic. High distress (DDS ≥2) was reported by 105 (24%) participants. Subscales identified 40% with high “Regimen Distress,” 29.7% with high “Emotional Burden.” <a>A greater percentage of those with high distress were female (p=0.002), diagnosed with hypertension (p=0.037) and retinopathy (p=0.005), insulin treated, had higher HbA1c, and moderate-to-severe depressive and anxiety symptoms (all p’s <0.001). </a>In multivariate analyses, female gender, HbA1c (p<0.001 for both), anxiety symptoms (p=0.036), and lack of healthcare coverage (p=0.019) were associated with high distress, controlling for potential confounders. Reporting moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms was associated with high regimen distress (p=0.018) and emotional burden (p<0.001); insulin treatment was associated with high emotional burden (p=0.027).</p> <p>Conclusion: Future research should identify modifiable factors associated with high diabetes distress in those with youth-onset type 2 diabetes that may inform distress interventions with this medically vulnerable group.</p>

Relationship of Type D Personality to Adverse Health Outcomes in People with Type 2 Diabetes: Parallel Mediating Effects of Diabetes Distress and Social Isolation

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship of Type D personality to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) directly, and also indirectly via diabetes distress and social isolation in people with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey was used. Data on 524 people with type 2 diabetes from outpatient clinics were obtained from June 2020 to February 2021. The hypotheses of this study were tested using the PROCESS macro with 10,000 bootstrapping iterations to estimate 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for indirect (mediating) effects.Results: Type D personality was present in 31.3% of the participants, and exerted a significant direct effect on HRQOL but not on HbA1c. Type D personality exerted a significant indirect effects on HbA1c via diabetes distress and social isolation (95% CI = 0.014 to 0.163 and 0.007 to 0.121, respectively), and on HRQOL via diabetes distress and social isolation (95% CI = -0.335 to -0.178 and -0.056 to -0.008, respectively). The indirect effects of Type D personality on HRQOL via diabetes distress had a greater magnitude than that via social isolation.Conclusion: It is necessary for health professionals to monitor people with type 2 diabetes to determine whether Type D personality is present. Those with Type D personality should be provided with interventions to reduce diabetes distress and alleviate social isolation in order to improve their glycemic control and HRQOL.

Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Variables and Predictors

Guided by the Self and Family-Management framework, relationships between diabetes distress, self-efficacy, resilience and outcomes of A1c, quality of life and health status were explored. A cross sectional descriptive design was used. 78 individuals were enrolled from US clinics. Data were analyzed to test for associations, main effects and interactions and predictors of self-management. Results indicated low diabetes distress ( M = 20.53), high self-efficacy ( M = 7.32), moderate resilience ( M = 80.27), and mean A1c 7.35%/56.88 mmol/mol. 76% scored above the mental health norm, 46% scored above the physical health norm. Average weighted quality of life = −1.74. Diabetes distress was negatively associated with self-efficacy, resilience, physical health, mental health, and quality of life. Self-efficacy was positively associated with resilience, physical health and quality of life. Resilience was positively associated with physical health, mental health and quality of life. Positive associations were found between quality of life, physical and mental health. No associations were found between A1c and variables in the study. Multiple significant interactions were found with A1c, mental health and quality of life outcomes. Terms in the model included treatment regimen, years since diagnosis, provider collaboration and history of diabetes self-management education. Distress was a significant predictor of health status and quality of life. The results confirm self-management facilitators self-efficacy and resilience and barrier diabetes distress and their relationships with outcomes in the framework. This study contributes to the understanding of the emotional aspect of diabetes. Continuing this work will allow researchers to better understand self-management, support self-management efforts and better outcomes.

Diabetes Distress During COVID-19: Three Brief ‘Snapshot’ Surveys of Adults With Diabetes Calling the Australian National Diabetes Services Scheme Helpline

The aim of this study was to take ‘snapshots’ of how people with diabetes are feeling emotionally during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Three ‘snapshot’ surveys were conducted during May 2020, August 2020 and April 2021, each over a two-week period. Adults (≥18 years) with diabetes calling the Australian Government’s National Diabetes Services Scheme Helpline (NDSS) were invited to participate. Those who accepted were asked three questions sourced/adapted from the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale. Responses were recorded on a 5-point scale (0=’not a problem’, 4=’serious problem’). Of interest were scores ≥2, indicating this was at least a ‘moderate problem’. The survey was administered by NDSS Helpline staff via telephone. Basic demographic and clinical data were collected. In total, 1,278 surveys were completed over the three ‘snapshots’ (1st N=449; 2nd N=414; 3rd N=415). Participants were aged (median[IQR]) 62[47,72] years, 56% were women, and 57% had type 2 diabetes. At the 3rd ‘snapshot’, 21% had received a COVID-19 vaccine. Our findings show that feeling at least moderately ‘burned out’ by the constant effort needed to manage diabetes is salient, and consistently experienced by adults with diabetes calling the NDSS Helpline at three timepoints during the coronavirus pandemic. Those who participated in the 3rd ‘snapshot’ survey were less likely to report that feeling ‘alone with their diabetes’ or ‘worrying about their diabetes because of the COVID-19 pandemic’ were moderate or serious problems for them. Except for younger adults, findings indicate that the easing of restrictions may mitigate some of the effects of the pandemic on diabetes-specific emotional problems, including feeling ‘burned out’, ‘alone’ with diabetes, and/or worried about diabetes due to COVID-19. Prospective data are needed to improve our understanding of the emotional impact of COVID-19 on people with diabetes and to inform when and how to target support for those who need it most.