Association of self-stigma with glycated hemoglobin: A single-center, cross-sectional study of adults with type 1 diabetes in Japan

Diabetes Stigma and Clinical Outcomes: An International Review

Diabetes stigma is the social burden of living with diabetes. People with diabetes may experience or perceive an adverse social judgment, prejudice, or stereotype about living with diabetes at work, school, in healthcare settings, popular culture, or relationships. This review describes the methods that have been used to assess diabetes stigma, and explores the prevalence of diabetes stigma, associated sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, and how diabetes stigma is associated with clinical outcomes, including HbA1c levels, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycemia, and chronic complications, in addition to psychosocial complications in youth, adolescents, and adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The prevalence of diabetes stigma has been reported as high as 78% in adults with T1D, 70% in adults with T2D, 98% in youth and adolescents with T1D, and is unknown in youth and adolescents with T2D. Diabetes stigma has been associated with lower psychosocial functioning, decreased self-care behaviors, higher HbA1c levels, and higher frequency of diabetes complications in adults with T1D and T2D. In adolescents and young adults with T1D, diabetes stigma is associated with lower psychosocial functioning, higher HbA1c levels, and higher frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia episodes in addition to chronic complications. In youth and adolescents with T2D, one study demonstrated an association of diabetes stigma with lower psychosocial functioning, higher HbA1c levels, and presence of retinopathy. Gaps exist in our understanding of the mechanisms of diabetes stigma, particularly in youth and adolescents with T2D.

The impact of stigma on the management of type 1 diabetes: A systematic review

AIMS

To systematically review the literature investigating the links between stigma and the management of type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Both quantitative and qualitative data were considered. Included papers were subject to quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and a narrative synthesis of results was reported.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Amongst these, one study used mixed methods, nine were qualitative, and nine were quantitative. All studies found a negative relationship between stigma and type 1 diabetes management. Qualitative studies provided a further understanding of the effects observed in the quantitative studies and found that stigma can affect self-care activities, disclosure of diabetes, and the uptake of diabetes technology. Systemic causes of stigma and intersectional stigma were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights that people with type 1 diabetes are negatively affected by stigma, irrespective of their age, gender, culture, or use of diabetes technology. Quantitative studies were limited, in that all studies were cross-sectional, and there was a lack of standardisation across outcome measures. There is a need for interventions to target stigma on both an individual and a systemic level, particularly where people experience multiple intersecting stigmas.

Bringing an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination: an international consensus statement on evidence and recommendations

People with diabetes often encounter stigma (ie, negative social judgments, stereotypes, prejudice), which can adversely affect emotional, mental, and physical health; self-care, access to optimal health care; and social and professional opportunities. To accelerate an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination, an international multidisciplinary expert panel (n=51 members, from 18 countries) conducted rapid reviews and participated in a three-round Delphi survey process. We achieved consensus on 25 statements of evidence and 24 statements of recommendations. The consensus is that diabetes stigma is driven primarily by blame, perceptions of burden or sickness, invisibility, and fear or disgust. On average, four in five adults with diabetes experience diabetes stigma and one in five experience discrimination (ie, unfair and prejudicial treatment) due to diabetes, such as in health care, education, and employment. Diabetes stigma and discrimination are harmful, unacceptable, unethical, and counterproductive. Collective leadership is needed to proactively challenge, and bring an end to, diabetes stigma and discrimination. Consequently, we achieved unanimous consensus on a pledge to end diabetes stigma and discrimination.