A path model of health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

Diabetes distress in a Barbadian population with type 2 diabetes: A pilot test

One in five Barbadians has diabetes, suggesting that there is a severe burden of the disease.

Objective

To assess the psychometric properties of the Diabetes Distress Scale, in order to determine the feasibility, practicality, internal consistency and criterion validity of the instrument when used with Barbadians living with Type 2 Diabetes.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes, (n = 106. 60% females, 40% males; mean age = 65.2, 11.3 years) attending a private clinic in Barbados were assessed for diabetes distress, depression, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and blood pressure (BP).A self-report questionnaire that included: clinical and demographic questions; the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS); the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); and the Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID-5) scale. Glycated haemaglobin (HbA1C) and Blood pressure (BP) were also measured.

Results

Of the 110 persons who participated, 106 persons completed the questionnaire. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the PAID was 0.92 and the DDS was 0.92. Concurrent validity was demonstrated in a strong consistent relationship between the scores on the DDS and PAID-5, with a strong positive correlation, r = 0.70, n = 86, p < 0.001. There was a significant difference in the DDS scores between males (M = 1.26, SD = 0.37) and females (M = 1.50, SD = 0.73), t(73.31) = -1.99, p = 0.05 two tailed.

Conclusion

The DDS is shown to be a valid and reliable measure within this Caribbean context. Thus, researchers and clinicians desirous of a tool to assess Diabetes Distress may be assured of the strong psychometric properties demonstrated thus far.

The relationship between patient empowerment and related constructs, affective symptoms and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the relationship between patient empowerment and other empowerment-related constructs, and affective symptoms and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies addressing adult patients with type 2 diabetes and reporting the association between empowerment-related constructs and subjective measures of anxiety, depression and distress, as well as self-reported quality of life were included. The following electronic databases were consulted from inception to July 2022: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. The methodological quality of the included studies was analyzed using validated tools adapted to each study design. Meta-analyses of correlations were performed using an inverse variance restricted maximum likelihood random-effects.

Results

The initial search yielded 2463 references and seventy-one studies were finally included. We found a weak-to-moderate inverse association between patient empowerment-related constructs and both anxiety (r = -0.22) and depression (r = -0.29). Moreover, empowerment-related constructs were moderately negatively correlated with distress (r = -0.31) and moderately positively correlated with general quality of life (r = 0.32). Small associations between empowerment-related constructs and both mental (r = 0.23) and physical quality of life (r = 0.13) were also reported.

Discussion

This evidence is mostly from cross-sectional studies. High-quality prospective studies are needed not only to better understand the role of patient empowerment but to assess causal associations. The results of the study highlight the importance of patient empowerment and other empowerment-related constructs such as self-efficacy or perceived control in diabetes care. Thus, they should be considered in the design, development and implementation of effective interventions and policies aimed at improving psychosocial outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020192429, identifier CRD42020192429.

Effect of treadmill walking for anxiety, depression and social well-being in women with diabetes type 2: A randomized controlled trial

Anxiety and depression are higher in persons with diabetes leading to poor glycaemic control and diabetes-related emotional distress. Some diabetic women do not engage in exercises perceiving it to make their diabetes worse. The researchers' objective of this treadmill walking program was to determine its effect on anxiety, depression and social well-being in women with diabetes type 2 (DT2). We randomized 49 sedentary women with DT2 into treadmill walking at moderate intensity of 40-60% of their age-adjusted maximal heart rate, three times per week on alternate days for 12 weeks. The control attended electronic lectures on diet, diabetes and mental health. The treadmill group had no adverse effects and their anxiety, depression and social well-being scores improved with no significant changes for the control. We offer women with DT2 an easy, safe indoors exercise preventing them from abuse from men, erratic drivers and extreme weather conditions with positive physiological responses.

Health Behavior, Level of Hemoglobin A1c, and Quality of Life Among Agricultural Workers of Various Ethnicities in Thai Border Communities

Background

Little is known about the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and quality of life (QoL) in ethnic minority agricultural workers. We investigated the links among health behaviors, HbA1c levels, and QoL ethnic agricultural workers living in rural areas.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three northern Provinces of Thailand. Agricultural workers of Indigenous, Hmong, Karen, and Lua communities were recruited. The number of 468 samples were selected using multistage sampling. Data collection was done from interviews using questionnaires, and blood samples were taken.

Results

We revealed 56.8% of participants to be female, with an average age of 49.6 years. Also, 56.0 and 34.8% of participants had low and moderate levels of knowledge on non-communicable diseases, respectively. In addition, 56.8 and 30.6% of participants had moderate and low health behaviors, respectively. Also, 51.5% had a HbA1c level (≥6.5%). We found that 64.7, 22.9, and 12.4% had moderate, low, and high QoL, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that having an underlying disease and knowledge score were both significantly related to the health behaviors score (p < 0.05), accounting for 68.6% of the variance. Five variables (ethnicity, BMI, having an underlying disease, smoking, and health behaviors) were significantly related to the HbA1c level (p < 0.05), accounting for 24.6% of the variance. Education, health behaviors, and HbA1c level were significantly associated with QoL (p < 0.05). These three factors could explain 79.4% of the variance in QoL among ethnic agricultural workers.

Conclusion

Health behaviors of ethnic minority agricultural workers influenced their HbA1c level and QoL. Effective health behaviors modification programs should be developed in accordance with the problems and needs among ethnic minority agricultural workers to enhance their QoL.

A path causal model in the association between self-efficacy and self-care with quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes: An application of the structural equation model

Background and Aims

The simultaneous role of self-care and self-efficacy in improving the quality of life (QoL) of diabetic patients has been less considered in previous studies. This study was aimed to investigate the path association between self-care and self-efficacy with QoL using the structural equation model (SEM).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 496 individuals of type 2 diabetic patients aged 35-75 years that were selected consequently from outpatients' clinic, in Babol, the north of Iran. The data collection instruments were demographic, self-care, self-efficacy, and QoL scales. The conceptual hypothesized model was designed based on previous evidence and tested by confirmatory factor analysis using SEM and path coefficients were estimated by the maximum likelihood method.

Results

Self-care had a significant relationship with employment status, level of education, and body mass index. QoL was significantly associated with economic status and place of residence. Self-efficacy beliefs had a positive and a direct effect on both self-care and QoL. But self-care and self-efficacy tended to have a nonsignificant positive relationship with QoL. The postulated conceptual path model was acceptable through the SEM goodness of fit criteria.

Conclusion

The findings show the fitness of the framework hypothesized structural model in the QoL of diabetic patients and this SEM makes this study unique from others. The results showed that the role of self-efficacy and self-care could be considered on the QoL. Therefore, nonpharmacological and supportive methods, such as strengthening self-efficacy and self-care, could be recommended as an effective method to enhance the QoL of diabetic patients.

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.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Diabetes Distress Scale in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Turkey

The objective of the research was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Diabetes Distress Scale in patients with type 2 diabetes in Turkey. Materials and Methods. Our study was conducted between September 2016 and January 2017 and included 170 patients with type 2 diabetes. The Personal Information Form and Diabetes Distress Scale were used as a data collection tool. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 and SAS package program. Results. According to the results of the research, Cronbach’s alpha reliability for the total scale was 0.91. The model fit indices for the revised confirmatory factor analysis model failed to meet the criteria for acceptability: the GFI was 0.8185, the CFI was 0.9316, the Bentler - Bonett (1980) NFI was 0.9005, and the RMSEA was 0.1067. In our study, exploratory factor analysis provided support for the three-factor model: [I] emotional and regimen-related distress, [II] health professional-related distress, [III] diabetes-related interpersonal distress. Conclusions. When the translation and cultural adaptation process have been considered, the Diabetes Distress Scale is a valid and reliable tool for the Turkish community. It is recommended to be used in the studies and clinical trials.

The differences in health-related quality of life between younger and older adults and its associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Indonesia

Background

It is well known that diabetes mellitus (DM) affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in both younger (aged 18–64 years) and older adults (aged ≥ 65 years). However, to date, no study has compared HRQOL and its predictors between younger and older adults with DM in Indonesia. Such a comparison is important because the results can guide nurses and clinicians to establish evidence-based educational programs that are specific and suitable for patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the difference in HRQOL and its predictors in younger and older adults with DM in Indonesia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 641 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were recruited via simple random sampling from 16 primary health centers in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. A self-administered questionnaire containing the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, the DDS17 Bahasa Indonesia, the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale, the Family APGAR, and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey was used to measure diabetes self-management (DSM), diabetes distress (DD), depression, self-efficacy, family support, and HRQOL, respectively. Independent t-tests were used to compare the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores between younger and older adults with T2DM. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine the factors associated with HRQOL in both groups.

Results

PCS scores were significantly different between the two groups. Older adults reported lower PCS scores than younger adults. No differences between the two groups were observed in the MCS scores. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that level of education, employment status, number of diabetes-related complications, DSM, DD, depression, and self-efficacy were significant predictors of HRQOL in younger adults, while income, depression, DD, and self-efficacy were significant predictors of HRQOL in older adults. DD was the strongest predictor of HRQOL in younger adults, and depression was the strongest predictor in older adults.

Conclusion

Older adult patients had lower PCS scores than younger adult patients. This study is the first to show that the predictors of HRQOL differ between younger and older adults with T2DM. It provides insights for nurses and clinicians in Indonesia to establish evidence-based, age-specific educational programs.

Association Between Dissatisfaction With Care and Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors, Glycemic Management, and Quality of Life of Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to examine the associations between patient dissatisfaction and diabetes outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Primary data from 615 adults with type 2 diabetes from 2 adult primary care clinics completed validated questionnaires. Patient dissatisfaction was measured by asking participants to what degree over the past 12 months were they very dissatisfied with the care they received from their primary care provider. Diabetes outcomes included self-care behaviors, quality of life, and A1C. A1C was abstracted from the medical record. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations between patient dissatisfaction, self-care, blood glucose, and quality of life.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates, this study demonstrated that higher patient dissatisfaction was significantly associated with poor general diet, worse blood glucose levels, and lower mental component score for quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with type 2 diabetes, patient dissatisfaction had a significant association with higher blood glucose levels, poor general diet, and low quality of life. Demographic factors driving patient dissatisfaction included young age, low income, and low health literacy. Future studies should investigate how to address patient satisfaction in an effort to improve health outcomes.

Changes in diabetes distress among people with type 2 diabetes during a risk screening programme for diabetic kidney disease - Longitudinal observations of the PRIORITY study

AIMS

To investigate levels and changes in diabetes distress over the course of the PRIORITY (Proteomic prediction and Renin angiotensin aldosterone system Inhibition prevention Of early diabetic nephRopathy In people with TYpe 2 diabetes and normoalbuminuria) randomised controlled trial of screening for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) risk among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at a specialist diabetes clinic in Denmark.

METHODS

Of 436 trial participants with T2D, 216 were invited to complete the 17-item diabetes distress scale at the time of screening (T1, n = 180), immediately after receiving the screening results at 6-8 weeks (T2, n = 169), and at 12 months follow up (T3, n = 107). Linear mixed models were used to explore changes in diabetes distress.

RESULTS

No significant changes in diabetes distress were observed between the time of screening, receiving results, and at 12 months. Changes in diabetes distress were not influenced by diabetes empowerment, sense of coherence, or perceived support for diabetes self-management.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to previous studies demonstrating that screening programmes can have negative psychological consequences, our findings indicate that participating in this screening programme for DKD does not influence emotional burden or physician-related distress among people with T2D.

Association between diabetes-related self-care activities and positive health: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to examine the diabetes-related self-care activities (DRSCA) in association with positive health consisting of resilience, subjective well-being (SWB) and disease-related quality of life (DRQoL), and the associations of background information with resilience, SWB and DRQoL.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A convenience sample of people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was recruited from two tertiary hospitals in eastern China. Self-reported survey data included DRSCA, resilience, SWB, DRQoL, and background information comprising demographics and social support. Data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-six valid questionnaires were analysed. Among the components of positive health, hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that DRSCA were significantly associated with improved SWB (β=0.140, p=0.020), but not with resilience and DRQoL after adjusting for background information. Participants with higher level of education had higher resilience and men had higher SWB than women. Social support (β=0.186, p=0.003) in Model 1 and resilience (β=0.298, p<0.001) in Model 2 were positively associated with SWB.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated an association between DRSCA and one component of positive health, namely SWB. This finding could help motivate patients to perform DRSCA and to improve SWB in people with T2DM. In addition, the fact that demographics, for example, gender, were associated with SWB and education was associated with resilience also needs to be accommodated when aiming to improve SWB and build resilience.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02594748.

Modeling patient empowerment and health literacy to glycemic control in insulin-treated patients: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To model the pathways of patient empowerment (PE) and health literacy (HL) to glycemic control specific to insulin-treated patients by prospective design.

METHODS

Insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (N = 185) were recruited by convenience sampling. Data of personal characteristics, PE, and HL were collected by questionnaires at baseline and 9 months later. The 9-month glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of each participant were collected from medical records. Structural equation modeling was used to test a hypothesized model.

RESULTS

Baseline and 9-month communicative HL and critical HL significantly and negatively correlated with 9-month HbA1c levels. Structural equation modeling supported that baseline and 9-month PE significantly affected HL at corresponding time points. Baseline PE indirectly affected 9-month HL through 9-month PE. The 9-month HL directly affected 9-month HbA1c. Baseline HL indirectly affected 9-month HbA1c through 9-month HL.

CONCLUSION

Communicative HL and critical HL rather than functional HL were crucial in improving glycemic control. PE is essential to improve HL in insulin-treated patients.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare providers could apply the empowerment approach to educate insulin-treated patients. Through reciprocal dynamic process of PE, insulin-treated patients with T2DM might improve their communicative and critical HL; and finally, glycemic control could be improved.

Determinants for quality of life trajectory patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to identify quality of life (QoL) trajectory patterns and the determinants in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

A longitudinal design was employed. Totally, 466 patients with T2DM recruited from five diabetic clinics in Taiwan were participants of this study. Demographic and disease characteristics, biomedical factors (HbA1c levels and body mass index), psychosocial factors (self-care behaviors, social support, resilience, diabetes distress), and QoL were collected at baseline. QoL was further measured every 6 months for four waves after baseline. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify QoL trajectory patterns. The multinomial logistic regression was further applied to explore the important determinants of different QoL trajectory patterns.

RESULTS

The "steadily poor" (n = 27, 5.8%), "consistently moderate" (n = 174, 37.3%), and "consistently good" (n = 265, 56.9%) trajectory patterns were identified. The HbA1c levels (OR 2.16) and diabetes distress (OR 1.18) were important for determining participants in the "steadily poor" QoL trajectory pattern. HbA1c levels (OR 1.25) and diabetes distress (OR 1.14) were important for determining participants in the "consistently moderate" QoL trajectory pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent development of relatively worse QoL trajectory patterns in patients with T2DM in a timelier manner, healthcare providers could regularly assess the QoL and provide intervention, especially for those with high HbA1c levels and high diabetes distress. Meanwhile, early intervention for decreasing HbA1c levels and diabetes distress may improve the trajectory development of QoL in patients with T2DM.

Influencing Pathways to Quality of Life and HbA1c in Patients With Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study That Inform Evidence-Based Practice

BACKGROUND

Determining possible associated factors and the influencing pathways to hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels and quality of life (QoL) will facilitate the development of effective interventions to improve the physical and psychosocial health of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

OBJECTIVES

To test a hypothesized model that addressed the pathways among personal characteristics, social support, diabetes distress, and self-care behaviors to HbA1C and QoL.

METHODS

A total of 382 adults with T2DM were recruited. Self-reported questionnaires and medical records were used to collect data regarding personal characteristics, diabetes distress, and social support at baseline. The self-care behaviors characters were collected 6 months later, as well as QoL and HbA1C levels 1 year later.

RESULTS

The 12-month QoL directly affected 12-month HbA1C levels. The 6-month self-care behaviors directly affected 12-month QoL, and indirectly affected 12-month HbA1C levels through 12-month QoL. Baseline diabetes distress directly affected 12-month QoL. Moreover, baseline diabetes distress indirectly affected 12-month HbA1C levels through 12-month QoL. Baseline social support directly affected baseline diabetes distress and 6-month self-care behaviors. In addition, baseline social support indirectly affected 12-month QoL through baseline diabetes distress. Baseline social support also indirectly affected 12-month QoL through 6-month self-care behaviors.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Enhancing QoL is important to improve HbA1C levels. Enhancing self-care behaviors is essential to improve subsequent HbA1C control and QoL. Reducing diabetes distress is crucial to improve subsequent QoL. Improving social support is suggested a favorable strategy to reduce diabetes distress and enhance subsequent self-care behaviors in patients with T2DM.

Examining diabetes distress, medication adherence, diabetes self-care activities, diabetes-specific quality of life and health-related quality of life among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

•

A five-factor theoretical model is proposed.

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The SEM model evaluated relationships among three endogenous and two exogenous variables.

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Higher levels of medication adherence had a significant direct effect on diabetes distress.

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Self-care activities had significant direct effect on diabetes distress and HRQoL.

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Diabetes-specific QoL had a significant effect on HRQoL.

Aims

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) has been increasing attention in health outcome studies. Factors that individually influence HRQoL, diabetes self-care behaviors, and medication adherence have been widely investigated; however, most previous studies have not tested an integrated association between multiple health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to formulate a hypothetical structural equation model linking HRQoL, diabetes distress, diabetes self-care activities, medication adherence and diabetes-dependent QoL in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was employed, and 497 patients with T2DM were recruited from outpatient clinics in three public hospitals and one government clinic. The patients completed a series of questionnaires. The hypothetical model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis.

Results

The values of the multiple fit indices indicated that the proposed model provided a good fit to the data. SEM results showed that medication adherence (MMAS) had a significant direct effect on diabetes distress (PAID) (Beta = −0.20). The self-care activities (SDSCA) construct was significantly related to PAID (Beta = −0.24). SDSCA was found to have a significant relationship with HRQoL (SF-36) (Beta = 0.11). Additionally, diabetes distress had a significant effect (Beta = −0.11) on HRQoL of patients. Finally, ADDQoL had a significant effect on HRQoL (Beta = 0.12).

Conclusions

The various health outcome indicators such as self-care behaviors, diabetes distress, medication adherence and diabetes-dependent QoL need to be considered in clinical practice for enhancing HRQoL in those patients.

Self-Care Behaviors of Nepalese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Analysis

BACKGROUND

Most previously reported literature on diabetes self-care is either solely quantitative or qualitative research conducted in developed countries; findings may not be generalizable to developing countries with different sociodemographic and cultural factors.

PURPOSE

The study aims to develop an explanatory mediation model for self-care and enhance model interpretation through qualitative input.

METHODS

A quantitatively driven, sequential, mixed method design was used. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data for the quantitative component from 230 participants. Participants for the qualitative interview were selected using maximum variation sampling (n = 13), and interviewing was guided by semistructured questions.

RESULTS

Diabetes management self-efficacy had the strongest influence on diabetes self-care (standardized path coefficient = .42, p < .001), followed by perceived social support (standardized path coefficient = .26, p < .001), and educational status (standardized path coefficient = -.22, p < .001). Diabetes management self-efficacy significantly and partially mediated the relationship between diabetes duration and diabetes self-care (Sobel's z = 2.65, p < .001) and between expectation regarding aging and diabetes self-care (Sobel's z = 3.03, p < .001). Perceived social support significantly and partially mediated the relation between educational status and diabetes self-care (Sobel's z = -2.81, p < .001). The qualitative component elucidated nine themes interwoven in Nepalese culture, social structure, and religious belief. Responsibilities toward family and belief in God acted as boosters for self-care in the case of Nepalese adults, which differed by age, gender, and literacy status.

DISCUSSION

The results from this study suggest that tailored psychosocial interventions to promote diabetes management self-efficacy may be beneficial in promoting self-care among Nepalese adults with diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 Diabetes: Model of Factors Associated with Glycemic Control

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the related factors and their intercorrelated impacts on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited for this study during their regular clinic visits at a major medical centre in Iran. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels were used as the indicator of glycemic control. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationships between glycemic control and demographics, self-care behaviours, resources and affective variables. Moreover, the associations between diabetes-related distress and measured variables were tested.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty people with type 2 diabetes completed the study. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.94±6.57 years, and the mean A1C levels were 7.78%±1.7%. Diabetes-related distress was significantly associated with A1C levels, controlling for all other variables (p=0.01). On the other hand, depression (p<0.001), self-management (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001) and patient-physician relationship (p=0.023) were significantly associated with diabetes-related distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes-related distress was found to be associated with glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes, whereas age, depression, anxiety, self-management and family and social support may affect glycemic control indirectly through diabetes-related distress. Thus, it is important to assess and, if appropriate, treat people with diabetes for diabetes-related distress in order to identify and help them overcome barriers to optimal glycemic control.

Pathways of empowerment perceptions, health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors to glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To validate a hypothesized model exploring the influencing pathways of empowerment perceptions, health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors to glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

Overall, 295 patients with T2DM were recruited from five endocrine clinics in Taiwan through convenience sampling. Data regarding personal characteristics, empowerment perceptions, health literacy, self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, and HbA1c levels were collected. A structural equation modeling was used to validate the hypothesized model.

RESULTS

Significant direct pathways were determined from empowerment perceptions to health literacy, from health literacy to self-efficacy, from self-efficacy to self-care behaviors, and from self-care behaviors to HbA1c levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The empowerment perceptions and health literacy relatively influenced self-efficacy and self-care behaviors. Self-efficacy and self-care behaviors relatively influenced glycemic control in patients with T2DM.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Modifying self-care behaviors have been demonstrated to be the most essential for improving glycemic control. To improve self-care behaviors, healthcare providers should target improving self-efficacy, and enhancing health literacy can be considered to be a potential strategy for improving self-efficacy. To enhance health literacy, healthcare providers could use an empowerment approach rather than an authoritative approach that emphasizes patient compliance in managing patients with T2DM.

Associations between patient characteristics, social relations, diabetes management, quality of life, glycaemic control and emotional burden in type 1 diabetes

AIM

The objective was to investigate associations between emotional burden and a number of individual variables: patient characteristics, social relations, diabetes management in everyday life, generic quality of life and glycaemic control, including determining to what extend these variables explain the differences in emotional burden in a large Danish population of people with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

We analysed a cross-sectional survey of 2419 Danish adults with type-1 diabetes mellitus and data from an electronic patient record. Data were analysed using hierarchical regression of factors of interest with emotional burden of diabetes as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

High emotional burden of diabetes was associated with being female, younger age, other chronic illness, low diabetes-specific support, low generic quality of life, low diabetes empowerment and high Hba1c. Low diabetes empowerment, low generic quality of life and low diabetes-specific support were associated with the largest difference in emotional burden level.

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of psychosocial and behavioural factors such as low social support, low generic quality of life and difficulties in managing diabetes are associated with high emotional burden in type-1 diabetes. These findings may call for an expansion of the effort to decrease the emotional burden of diabetes for those who are heavily burdened. Future research should explore the causality of the explored associations as well as potential subgroup differences in order to guide the development of appropriate interventions.

Health Related Quality of Life among Omani Men and Women with Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of this study was to explore predictors of health related quality of life (HRQoL) among men and women with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of a random sample of 300 adults with type 2 diabetes in a selected public hospital. Euro-QoL and Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities scales were used to collect data between January and June 2010. Schooling and ability to manage positively were highly significant predictors of quality of life (QoL) among women as compared to men. Age, prevention of activities of daily living and knowledge/management of diabetes were significant predictors of Health state among women as compared to men. Findings demonstrate that 30.6% (versus 35.7%) of the variance in the total QoL and 14% (versus 23%) of the variance in health state could be explained by personal and clinical characteristics among women and men, respectively. The study underlines the importance for nurse educators to assess HRQoL among men and women and to develop effective self-care management strategies based on personal and clinical characteristics.

Measuring Self-Care in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines the characteristics and psychometric properties of the instruments used to assess self-care behaviors among persons with type 2 diabetes. Electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published in English within the past 20 years. Thirty different instruments were identified in 75 articles: 18 original instruments on type 2 diabetes mellitus self-care, 8 translated or revised version, and 4 not specific but relevant to diabetes. Twenty-one instruments were multidimensional and addressed multiple dimensions of self-care behavior. Nine were unidimensional: three focusing exclusively on medication taking, three on diet, one on physical activity, one on self-monitoring of blood glucose, and one on oral care. Most instruments (22 of 30) were developed during the last decade. Only 10 were repeated more than once. Nineteen of the 30 instruments reported both reliability and validity information but with varying degrees of rigor. In conclusion, most instruments used to measure self-care were relatively new and had been applied to only a limited number of studies with incomplete psychometric profiles. Rigorous psychometric testing, operational definition of self-care, and sufficient explanation of scoring need to be considered for further instrument development.

Application of a health-related quality of life conceptual model in community-dwelling older Chinese people with diabetes to understand the relationships among clinical and psychological outcomes

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The present study applied the Wilson-Cleary model of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to understand the interrelationships among clinical, sociodemographic and psychological characteristics in older people with diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study with 452 Chinese older people with diabetes recruited from three primary care clinics. A series of assessments were made, including four instruments: the Chinese version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey, Older American Resources and Services Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire, Rand Mental Health Inventory and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey; and clinical outcomes (diabetes-related characteristics and physiological data).

RESULTS

In the present study, we identified six patient individual and environmental characteristics, namely, age, sex, physical activity, psychological distress, social support and adequacy of income, that significantly influence HRQOL directly or by way of physical functional status and general health perception.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving social and financial support as well as providing interventions to promote physical activity and to cope with psychological distress in this patient population might be effective to eventually enhance their HRQOL. The present findings add to the literature the underlying complex biological and psychological processes of HRQOL, and take the body of knowledge in HRQOL of older people with diabetes to a theoretical level, and provide insights for development of appropriate strategies to optimize their HRQOL.

Measurement of diabetes-related emotional distress using the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale: psychometric evaluations show that the short form is better than the full form

BACKGROUND

The Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale is widely used for measuring diabetes-related emotional distress. There has been debate over the last 2 decades about the underlying factorial-construct validity of the PAID, with one- to four-factor structures being reported. A short form of the PAID, which comprises five items (PAID-5), was recently developed using Western patients with type 2 diabetes. This study measured the psychometric properties of the full and short forms of the PAID in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes, with the aim of determining which form is preferable.

METHODS

The PAID and PAID-5 were translated into Korean (K-PAID and K-PAID-5, respectively) using a forward-and-backward translation technique. The study participants were recruited from university hospitals. The factorial-construct, convergent, and known-groups validity, and internal-consistency and test-retest reliability of both the K-PAID and K-PAID-5 were evaluated.

RESULTS

For the K-PAID, confirmatory factor analysis revealed a marginal fit to the one-, two-, three-, and four-factor models. The three- and four-factor models of the K-PAID partially satisfied the internal-consistency and test-retest reliability, and convergent and known-groups validity. For the K-PAID-5, confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated an excellent fit to the one-factor model, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.89. The K-PAID-5 satisfied the convergent validity, as evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and hemoglobin A1c. Known-groups validity by gender was also satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The K-PAID-5 demonstrated excellent psychometric properties as a one-factor scale. The brevity of the K-PAID-5 represents a major advantage in a practical context in that it may impose a minimum burden upon patients with diabetes.

Diabetes distress in Type 1 diabetes--a new measurement fit for purpose

AIMS

To examine and assess (1) the internal consistency and validity of a Danish translation of the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS17) among adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, (2) the properties of the brief version of DDS17 and (3) cut points for the DDS17.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey of 2419 adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Validated scales and questions measured diabetes distress (DDS17), diabetes empowerment (DES-SF), healthy diet, physical activity, self-rated health (SF-12) and quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF). An electronic patient record provided information about glycaemic control (HbA(1c)). We examined internal consistency, construct validity, subscale construction and cut points for determining clinically relevant diabetes distress, as well as two- and four-item brief versions of the DDS17.

RESULTS

The DDS17 had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92; subscale alphas were 0.83-0.89. A four-factor division into subscales was appropriate and the division corresponded closely to the four domains described in the development of the DDS17. The DDS17 correlated well with relevant measures; higher distress was correlated with low diabetes empowerment, low quality of life, unhealthy diet, not being physically active, poor glycaemic control and low scores on the mental component score of the SF-12. A two-item brief scale performed as well as a four-item version. The relationship between DDS17 and outcomes did not suggest distinct cut points for DDS17.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide support for the use of this Danish adaptation of the DDS17 for assessing psychosocial distress among adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Prospective associations between emotional distress and poor outcomes in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Cross-sectional studies link both depressive symptoms (DS) and diabetes-related distress (DRD) to diabetes self-management and/or glycemic control. However, longitudinal studies of these variables are rare, and their results are somewhat conflicting. The study objective was to compare DS and DRD as longitudinal predictors of medication adherence, self-care behavior, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Primary care patients with type 2 diabetes reported DS, DRD, and other variables at baseline were studied. Medication adherence, self-care behaviors (diet, physical activity, and glucose testing), and glycemic control (HbA(1c)) were assessed 6 months later (n = 253). Cross-sectional and longitudinal regression analyses were used to model behavioral and medical outcomes as a function of baseline confounders, DS, and DRD.

RESULTS

Adjusted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses yielded very similar results. In the latter, only DS were significantly associated with future diet behavior (P = 0.049), physical activity (P = 0.001), and glucose testing (P = 0.018). In contrast, only DRD predicted future glycemic control (P < 0.001) and medication adherence (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Distress-outcome associations seem to vary by type of distress under consideration. Only DS predicts future lifestyle-oriented self-management behaviors. In contrast, only DRD predicts glycemic control, perhaps by decreasing medication adherence. Clinical assessment and intervention should encompass both types of distress, unless the goal is to narrowly target a highly specific outcome.