Regional differences in the management of cardiovascular risk factors among adults with diabetes: An evaluation of the Diabetes Collaborative Registry

Six Digital Health Technologies That Will Transform Diabetes

The digital health revolution is transforming the landscape of medicine through innovations in sensor data, software, and wireless communication tools. As one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States, diabetes is particularly impactful as a model disease for which to apply innovation. As with any other newly developed technologies, there are three key questions to consider: 1) How can the technology benefit people with diabetes?, 2) What barriers must be overcome to further advance the technology?, and 3) How will the technology be applied in the future?. In this article, we highlight six areas of innovation that have the potential to reduce the burden of diabetes for individuals living with the condition and their families as well as provide measurable benefits for all stakeholders involved in diabetes care. The six technologies which have the potential to transform diabetes care are (i) telehealth, (ii) incorporation of diabetes digital data into the electronic health record, (iii) qualitative hypoglycemia alarms, (iv) artificial intelligence, (v) cybersecurity of diabetes devices, and (vi) diabetes registries. To be successful, a new digital health technology must be accessible and affordable. Furthermore, the people and communities that would most likely benefit from the technology must be willing to use the innovation in their management of diabetes.

Regional Comparison of Diabetes Psychosocial Comorbidities Among Americans With Type 1 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare diabetes psychosocial comorbidities among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) across the United States during the onset of COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Adults with T1D from 4 main US geographic regions including South (n = 367), West (n = 234), Northeast (n = 250), and Midwest (n = 247) completed a cross-sectional online survey between April and June 2020. Data collection was done on psychosocial measures, glycemic variability, sociodemographic characteristics, and various challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis tests, ordinary least squares, proportional odds, and ordinal logistic regression methods were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

In the South, 51.2% of participants had moderate to high levels of diabetes distress, and this was significantly (P = .03) higher than other regions. Northeast region had the lowest prevalence of moderate to severe diabetes burnout (19.8%), but this was not significantly different compared to the other regions. Participants in the South had also the highest mean score on the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire, with 30.3% of them reporting moderate to severe depressive symptoms. However, there were no significant differences in depressive symptoms among the regions. Glycemic control, demographic characteristics, and COVID-19-related challenges were associated with different psychosocial comorbidities in different regions.

CONCLUSIONS

When providing information and support to individuals with diabetes in time of crisis like the COVID pandemic, providers should consider psychosocial aspects of diabetes care. Diabetes disparities and contextual factors vary geographically in the United States; these factors may impact the psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes in each region.