Cohort profiles of the cross-sectional and prospective participant groups in the second Diabetes MILES-Australia (MILES-2) study

Diabetes Research Matters: A Three-Round Priority-Setting Survey Consultation with Adults Living with Diabetes and Family Members in Australia

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the health and quality-of-life research priorities of Australians with diabetes or family members.

METHODS

Through an iterative, three-step, online survey process we (1) qualitatively generated research topics (long list) in response to one question "What research is needed to support people with diabetes to live a better life?"; (2) determined the most important research questions (short list); and (3) ranked research questions in order of importance (priorities). We aimed to recruit N = 800 participants, with approximate equal representation of diabetes type and family members.

RESULTS

Participants (N = 661) were adults (aged 18+ years) in Australia with a self-reporting diagnosis of diabetes (type 1, n = 302; type 2, n = 204; prior/current gestational, n = 58; less common types, n = 22, or a family member, n = 75). Retention rates for Surveys 2 and 3 were 47% (n = 295) and 50% (n = 316), respectively. From 1549 open-text responses, 25 topics and 125 research questions were identified thematically. Research priorities differed by cohort, resulting in specific lists developed and ranked by each cohort. The top-ranked research question for the type 1 diabetes cohort was "How can diabetes technology be improved …?" and for the type 2 diabetes cohort: "How can insulin resistance be reversed …?". One question was common to the final lists of all cohorts: "What are the causes or triggers of diabetes?" Within cohorts, the top priorities were perceived as being of similar importance.

CONCLUSIONS

The research priorities differ substantially by diabetes type and for family members. These findings should inform funding bodies and researchers, to align future research and its communication with community needs.

A novel approach to understanding and assessing the emotional side of type 1 diabetes: The Type 1-Diabetes Distress Assessment System

AIMS

To describe the development of a novel, conceptually sound instrument with contemporary content for assessing diabetes distress (DD) among adults with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Qualitative interviews with 15 adults and 7 clinicians were used to develop Core (intensity of DD emotional burden) and primary Source (key DD contributors) items. These were administered to a national sample recruited from the TCOYD Research Registry, T1D Exchange and our previous studies. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were undertaken, along with reliability and construct validity studies, and cut-point analyses to determine elevated DD.

RESULTS

Analyses based on 650 respondents yielded an 8-item Core DD scale (α = 0.95) and 10 2- or 3-item DD Source Scales (α range = 0.53-0.88): Financial Worries, Interpersonal Challenges, Management Difficulties, Shame, Hypoglycemia Concerns, Healthcare Quality, Lack of Diabetes Resources, Technology Challenges, Burden to Others and Worries about Complications. Core and Source scores were significantly associated with criterion variables: Higher DD scores were significantly linked with higher HbA1C, more frequent episodes of severe hypoglycaemia, missed boluses, and poorer quality of life (p > 0.001). A ≥2.0 scale cut-point to define elevated DD is suggested.

CONCLUSIONS

The new T1-Diabetes Distress Assessment System demonstrated good reliability and validity, and with measures of both Core emotional burden and Sources of DD, it provides a contemporary, flexible and practical approach to assessing DD that can be used seamlessly to inform intervention for clinicians and researchers.

The 12-Item Hypoglycemia Impact Profile (HIP12): psychometric validation of a brief measure of the impact of hypoglycemia on quality of life among adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the 12-Item Hypoglycemia Impact Profile (HIP12), a brief measure of the impact of hypoglycemia on quality of life (QoL) among adults with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Adults with T1D (n=1071) or T2D (n=194) participating in the multicountry, online study, 'Your SAY: Hypoglycemia', completed the HIP12. Psychometric analyses were undertaken to determine acceptability, structural validity, internal consistency, convergent/divergent validity, and known-groups validity.

RESULTS

Most (98%) participants completed all items on the HIP12. The expected one-factor solution was supported for T1D, T2D, native English speaker, and non-native English speaker groups. Internal consistency was high across all groups (ω=0.91-0.93). Convergent and divergent validity were satisfactory. Known-groups validity was demonstrated for both diabetes types, by frequency of severe hypoglycemia (0 vs ≥1 episode in the past 12 months) and self-treated episodes (<2 vs 2-4 vs ≥5 per week). The measure also discriminated by awareness of hypoglycemia in those with T1D.

CONCLUSIONS

The HIP12 is an acceptable, internally consistent, and valid tool for assessing the impact of hypoglycemia on QoL among adults with T1D. The findings in the relatively small sample with T2D are encouraging and warrant replication in a larger sample.

Nurse-led vascular risk assessment in a regional Victorian Indigenous primary care diabetes clinic: An integrated Diabetes Education and Eye disease Screening [iDEES] study

AIM

The aim was to describe vascular risk factors in Australian adults with diabetes attending an Indigenous primary care nurse-led diabetes clinic.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional descriptive single-site study.

METHODS

Vascular risk factor data were extracted from the electronic health records of participants in the nurse-led integrated Diabetes Education and Eye disease Screening (iDEES) study at a regional Victorian Indigenous primary health-care clinic between January 2018 and March 2020.

RESULTS

Of 172 eligible adults, 135 (79%) provided data. Median (IQR) age was 56 (46-67) years; 89% were Indigenous; 95% had Type 2 diabetes of median (IQR) duration of 6 (2-12) years and 48 (36%) were male. Median HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol (total; LDL and HDL), triglycerides, eGFR, CRP and BMI were 8.0% (64 mmol/mol), 127/78 mm Hg, 4.2; 1.9; 1.1 mmol/L, 2.3 mmol/L, 89 ml/min/1.73 m² , 7.0 mg/L and 32.4 kg/m² . Of nine clinical risk factors, the median (IQR) number of risk factors at target was 4 (3-5) for women and 3 (2-5) for men, p_χ2  = 0.563. Clinical targets for BMI, HbA1c, blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, urine albumin: creatinine ratio, HDL cholesterol and smoking were met by 14%, 34%, 38%, 39%, 44%, 52%, 54%, 62% and 64%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A nurse-led model of integrated clinical risk factor assessment and diabetes education identified suboptimal levels of clinical risk factor control for avoiding diabetes chronic complications amongst Australian adults with diabetes in an Indigenous primary care setting.

IMPACT

A nurse-led model of diabetes care integrating clinical risk factor assessment into a diabetes education service is achievable. Understanding by stakeholders, including people with diabetes, their clinicians and health services, of the importance of regular monitoring of risk factors impacting diabetes complications is important. The novel nurse-managed iDEES primary-care model of care can assist.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001204235).

Symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with type 1 diabetes: Associations with self-care behaviour, glycaemia and incident complications over four years - Results from diabetes MILES-Australia

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether symptoms of depression or anxiety predict glycaemia and incident diabetes complications four years later, and whether diabetes self-care behaviours mediate these associations, in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

METHODS

Data of 205 adults with T1DM from the 2011 and 2015 Diabetes MILES-Australia surveys were analysed. Variables of interest were: baseline depression and anxiety (PHQ-8 and GAD-7, respectively) symptoms; HbA_1c and incident complications at four-year follow-up; and self-care behaviours at both time points. Longitudinal associations were analysed using structural equation modelling.

RESULTS

Forty-two participants (20.6%) reported incident complications. Baseline depressive symptoms predicted higher HbA_1c at follow-up indirectly via less optimal self-care at follow-up (β = 0.19, P = 0.011). Baseline anxiety was not independently associated with HbA_1c or self-care at follow-up (P ≥ 0.64). Neither depressive nor anxiety symptoms predicted incident complications, although depressive symptoms were associated with less optimal self-care at baseline (β = -0.67, P < 0.001), and this predicted microvascular complications (β = -0.38, P = 0.044); however, the indirect association via self-care was not significant (β = 0.25, P = 0.067).

LIMITATIONS

Participants were self-selected; all study variables were assessed using self-report measures; and adjusting for baseline HbA_1c was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms predicted suboptimal self-care behaviour and glycaemic outcome four years later, while anxiety symptoms did not. The findings suggest that tailored diabetes care should take the potential impact of comorbid depression into consideration to help people improve their diabetes self-care and achieve best possible health outcomes.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes among Saudi adults on insulin pump therapy during the COVID-19 lockdown

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected people's lives including patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on psychological status, self-management behaviors, and diabetes care maintenance among Saudi adults with T1DM using insulin pump therapy.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used a web survey to collect data on Saudi adults with T1DM who were treated in the specialized insulin pump clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 scales to measure depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

Of the 70 patients who received the survey, 65 completed it. Overall, 23.1% and 29.2% of the patients reported moderate to severe and mild depression, respectively; 18.5% and 24.6% reported moderate to severe and mild anxiety, respectively. Compared with pre-lockdown, adherence to a healthy diet and regular physical activity decreased in 67.7% and 41.5% of the patients, respectively. Most patients maintained their adherence to insulin pump behaviors; frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose increased in 47% of glucometer users. Most patients benefited from phone visits or virtual education sessions, but 66.2% of the patients reported difficulty obtaining at least one type of insulin pump supply.

CONCLUSIONS

Promoting self-management behaviors and psychological wellbeing of patients with T1DM using insulin pump therapy is crucial during a lockdown. Telemedicine is a useful alternative to in-person appointments, but strategies to ensure that patients have access to adequate resources during lockdown must be developed.

Psychosocial Moderators of the Impact of Diabetes Stigma: Results From the Second Diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of diabetes stigma with psychological, behavioral, and HbA_1c outcomes and to investigate moderation effects of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and/or social support.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The national Second Diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) survey included adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 959, 41% of whom were male, with mean ± SD age 44 ± 15 years), insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (n = 487, 60% male, age 61 ± 9 years), and non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (n = 642, 55% male, age 61 ± 10 years). (Un)adjusted linear regression analyses tested the association between diabetes stigma (Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale [DSAS]) and psychological outcomes (depressive symptoms [eight-item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8)], anxiety symptoms [Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) questionnaire], and diabetes-specific distress [20-item Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID) scale]), behavioral outcomes (healthy diet and physical activity [Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA)]), and self-reported HbA_1c. Interaction effects tested whether associations varied by self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [RSES]), self-efficacy (Confidence in Diabetes Self-Care [CIDS] scale), or diabetes-specific social support (Diabetes Support Scale [DSS]).

RESULTS

Significant positive associations were observed between DSAS and PHQ-8, GAD-7, and PAID across diabetes type/treatment groups (all P < 0.001), whereby each SD increase in DSAS scores was associated with approximately one-half SD deterioration in emotional well-being. Associations between DSAS and SDSCA and HbA_1c were nonmeaningful. Self-esteem moderated psychological outcomes among participants with type 1 and non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and diabetes distress among those with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. Interaction effects were partially observed for social support but not for self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of the association between diabetes stigma and depressive/anxiety symptoms and diabetes distress and for the moderating effects of self-esteem and social support among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to examine associations with objectively measured behavioral and clinical outcomes.

Social support and self-care outcomes in adults with diabetes: The mediating effects of self-efficacy and diabetes distress. Results of the second diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) study

AIMS

Diabetes self-care outcomes are positively impacted by social support. Understanding the mechanisms involved can inform more effective interventions. This study tested potential cross-sectional mediation of social support through self-efficacy and diabetes distress for self-care and clinical outcomes (diet, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, HbA_1c).

METHOD

We analysed a sub-sample of the Australian Diabetes MILES-2 cross-sectional online survey (N = 1727). Measures were: Diabetes Social Support Scale, Confidence in Diabetes Self-care Scale, Problem Areas In Diabetes scale, diet and physical activity subscales of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, and self-reported HbA_1c. Separate mediation path models were tested for each of the four self-care/clinical outcomes in groups with type 1 and type 2 (insulin- and non-insulin-treated) diabetes.

RESULTS

Social support was associated with more optimal self-care and self-reported HbA_1c outcomes. When diabetes-specific self-efficacy and distress were included as mediators, the direct path from social support became non-significant. Conversely, the indirect effects of social support through diabetes-specific self-efficacy and distress were significant across all diabetes groups and outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes-specific self-efficacy and distress may be important mechanisms linking social support with diabetes self-care and clinical outcomes. Social support interventions could explore whether improving diabetes self-efficacy and decreasing diabetes distress could help improve self-care.

Short-term improvements in diet quality in people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are associated with smoking status, physical activity and body mass index: the 3D case series study

Background

Dietary intake impacts glycaemic control through its effect on weight and glucose-insulin homeostasis. Early glycaemic control is associated with improved outcomes and reduced mortality for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). To date, the diet quality of people with T2D has only been studied cross-sectionally. The objective of this paper is to quantify short-term improvements in diet quality and to identify factors associated with improvements after T2D diagnosis among participants in the 3D study.

Methods

This paper presents data from the 3D study of 225 Australian adults, newly diagnosed with T2D. Telephone interviews collected demographic, diet, physical and health data at baseline and 3 months. Diet quality was assessed using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) tool to examine short-term changes in diet quality after diagnosis. Participants were categorised into two groups: those who improved their diet quality by 3 months (increase in DASH score of 3 or more) and those who did not. Factors associated with change in DASH scores were clinically and statistically evaluated.

Results

The 3D cohort was comparable to Australian cohorts with diabetes by gender and body mass index (BMI) but differed by age, remoteness and socioeconomic status. Mean (SD) baseline DASH score was 24.4 (4.7), in the midrange of possible scores between 8 and 40. One third of participants improved their DASH score by 3-months. This group had lower diet quality (p < 0.001), lower BMI (p = 0.045), higher physical activity levels (p = 0.028) and were less likely to smoke (p = 0.018) at baseline.

Conclusions

Diet quality changes after diagnosis do not appear to be associated with demographic characteristics but were associated with lifestyle behaviours. Strategies targeted at better supporting smokers, those with low physical activity and higher BMI are required. Future research should investigate how the diet quality changes people make around time of diagnosis are related to long-term health outcomes.

'I wish my health professionals understood that it's not just all about your HbA1c !'. Qualitative responses from the second Diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) study

AIMS

Optimal diabetes management requires daily selfmanagement. While little time is spent with health professionals, they can have a substantial impact on how a person manages and feels about living with diabetes. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore what people with diabetes wish their health professionals understood about living with diabetes.

METHODS

Thematic analysis was conducted of responses to a single open-ended question, 'What do you wish your health professional understood about living with diabetes?', which was part of the Diabetes MILES-2 survey, assessing the psychological and behavioural aspects of living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in Australian adults.

RESULTS

In total, 1316 responses (56% response rate) were collected, with 1190 responses included for analysis (54% from respondents with type 1 diabetes, 46% from those with type 2 diabetes). Seven major themes emerged; respondents wished their health professional understood: 1) the potential barriers to diabetes management; 2) that it is 'easier said than done'; 3) the social/emotional impact; 4) that they want, need and deserve more; 5) that judgements, assumptions and negative perspective are not helpful; 6) more about diabetes; and 7) that the respondent is the expert in his/her diabetes. Other comments suggested satisfactory experiences with health professionals, highlighting that some respondents had no wish for their health professional to understand more.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that, although some adults with diabetes are satisfied with their health professionals' understanding of living with diabetes, many report unmet needs and perceive a lack of person-centred care from their health professionals.

Psychometric properties of a nationwide survey for adults with and without diabetes: the "disease knowledge and information needs - diabetes mellitus (2017)" survey

BACKGROUND

In order to close existing information gaps on diabetes-related health perceptions, diabetes knowledge, and information-seeking behaviors among adults in Germany, a representative population-based survey targeting the German-speaking population 18 years and older with and without diabetes was conducted. The aim of the present work was to analyze the psychometric properties of the multi-item scales, applied in the survey in order to provide guidance for decisions on the use of these measurements for future research.

METHODS

Based on data from participants who completed the final survey (N = 1479 with known diabetes; N = 2327 without known diabetes) reliability and unidimensionality of multi-item scales were tested using Cronbach's Alpha and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

RESULTS

Psychometric properties and model fit varied across scales. Cronbach's alpha values ranged from very good to unacceptable. Model fit indices suggested evidence of a single underlying factor in some but not all scales. Adequate reliability and at least mediocre model fit were found for diabetes distress and patient-provider-relationship in people with diabetes and for perceived level of information in individuals without diabetes. Scales revealing inacceptable reliability values or not suggesting unidimensionality were e.g. diabetes-related stigmatization in both individuals with and without diabetes, self-efficacy in individuals with diabetes, and perceived personal control in those without diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Based on results of the current study, some of the scales applied in the survey can be recommended for present and future analyses of the survey data and for future surveys (e.g. diabetes distress, patient-provider-relationship in people with diabetes). Other scales should be interpreted and used with caution (e.g. depressive symptoms in people with diabetes) while others should be reformulated, interpreted only as single items, or need further investigation (e.g. diabetes-related stigmatization in people with and without diabetes). Findings provide researchers the opportunity to evaluate diabetes-specific scales in population-based studies of adults with and without diabetes.

What Do Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Want from the "Perfect" App? Results from the Second Diabetes MILES: Australia (MILES-2) Study

Background: We investigated what Australian adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) want from the "perfect" diabetes self-management application. Methods: Adults with T2D completed a national online survey including an open-ended question: "If you were describing the perfect app to help you manage your diabetes, what would it do?" Qualitative responses were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Of the 339 participants who provided usable responses, 153 (45%) were women, the mean age was 58 ± 10 years, and 139 participants (41%) managed their diabetes with insulin. Two primary themes emerged. First, participants expressed a desire for assistance with practical aspects of diabetes self-management to improve, and reduce the cognitive burden of, self-management; this included tracking and visualizing multiple sources of data, using data to inform automated, personalized coaching, reminders, and alarms, and automating upload and linking of data through connected devices. Second, they desired assistance with psychological and emotional aspects of diabetes self-management; this included ongoing encouragement and motivation, help with stress management or negative emotions, and complementing existing health care by facilitating interconnectivity with health professionals. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the clear desire of people with type 2 diabetes is for the "perfect app" to reduce not only the practical, but also the cognitive and emotional burden of diabetes self-management. They provide further evidence that understanding the desires of people living with diabetes needs to be the first step in app development to ensure that apps provide features, support, and benefits that people with diabetes value.

Prospective memory slips are associated with forgetting to take glucose-lowering therapies among adults with diabetes: results from the second Diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) survey

AIMS

Prospective memory has been long considered a fundamental cognitive ability for optimal medication taking, but the role of prospective memory errors (termed 'slips') in diabetes self-care is unclear. Our aim was to examine associations between prospective memory and medication taking in adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Some 901 adults with Type 1 diabetes and 927 with Type 2 diabetes completed a cross-sectional survey focused on the psychological and behavioural aspects of living with diabetes. Respondents reported whether they had forgotten to take their diabetes medication over the previous 14 days.

RESULTS

Twenty-four per cent (n = 220) of adults with Type 1 diabetes and 23% (n = 211) with Type 2 diabetes reported that they had forgotten their medication at least once over the previous 14 days. This was associated with more prospective memory slips in adults with Type 1 diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 1.13; P < 0.001] and Type 2 diabetes (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15; P < 0.001); and with younger age (both groups), insulin pump use (Type 1 diabetes), insulin treatment (Type 2 diabetes), less frequent blood glucose checks (Type 1 diabetes) and higher HbA_1c (Type 1 diabetes).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that forgetting medication is relatively common among adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and provide preliminary evidence for its relationship with self-reported prospective memory slips.

Assessing the perceived impact of diabetes on quality of life: Psychometric validation of the DAWN2 Impact of Diabetes Profile in the second Diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) survey

AIMS

To investigate the validity and reliability of the 6-item DAWN2 Impact of Diabetes Profile (DIDP), and the modified 7-item DIDP, which includes assessment of dietary freedom.

METHODS

The online, cross-sectional, Australian MILES-2 survey included the DIDP and other validated measures, to examine convergent, discriminant and known-groups validity. The DIDP was completed by 2207 adults with diabetes (Type 1: n = 1012; Type 2 insulin: n = 504; non-insulin: n = 691). Data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and univariate statistics, conducted separately by diabetes type/treatment.

RESULTS

The DIDP was highly acceptable: 99% completion rate. One-factor solutions were supported for the 6-item and 7-item DIDP scales, in all diabetes type/treatment groups (variance explained range: 6-item: 59-67%, 7-item: 55-62%), with satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.85-0.90). Known-groups validity was demonstrated, by diabetes type and complications presence/absence, as was satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity.

CONCLUSIONS

The DIDP meets the need for a brief, contemporary, valid and reliable measure of the perceived impact of diabetes on quality of life, suitable for adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The 6-item and 7-item scales have psychometric equivalence. Use of the seventh item can be informed by research questions.

Type I Collagen-Derived Injectable Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds as Glucose Sensors

The advent of home blood glucose monitoring revolutionized diabetes management, and the recent introduction of both wearable devices and closed-loop continuous systems has enormously impacted the lives of people with diabetes. We describe the first fully injectable soft electrochemical glucose sensor for in situ monitoring. Collagen, the main component of a native extracellular matrix in humans and animals, was used to fabricate an in situ gellable self-supporting electroconductive hydrogel that can be injected onto an electrode surface or into porcine meat to detect glucose amperometrically. The study provides a proof-of-principle of an injectable electrochemical sensor suitable for monitoring tissue glucose levels that may, with further development, prove clinically useful in the future.

Diabetes stigma is associated with negative treatment appraisals among adults with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes: results from the second Diabetes MILES - Australia (MILES-2) survey

AIM

To explore factors associated with negative insulin appraisals among adults with Type 2 diabetes, including perceived and experienced diabetes stigma.

METHODS

The second Diabetes MILES - Australia study (MILES-2) is a national survey of adults with diabetes, focused on behavioural and psychosocial issues. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the responses of 456 adults with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes (38% women; mean ± sd age: 61.2 ± 8.8 years; diabetes duration: 14.5 ± 7.5 years; years using insulin: 6.4 ± 5.5). Participants completed validated measures of perceived and experienced diabetes stigma (Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale), insulin appraisals [Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS)] and known correlates of insulin appraisals: diabetes-specific distress (Problem Areas In Diabetes scale) and diabetes-specific self-efficacy (Confidence in Diabetes Self-care scale). A multiple linear regression was conducted (N = 279) to determine the contribution of those variables found to be associated with ITAS Negative scores.

RESULTS

Univariable analyses revealed negative insulin appraisals were associated with demographic and self-care characteristics (age, employment status, BMI, years using insulin, injections per day), self-efficacy, diabetes-specific distress and diabetes stigma (all P < 0.01). Number of injections per day [regression coefficient [95% confidence interval]: 0.74 [0.08, 1.40]; P = 0.028], self-efficacy [-0.12 [-0.19, -0.06]; P < 0.001] and diabetes stigma [0.39 (0.31, 0.46); P < 0.001) significantly and independently contributed to the final multivariable model, explaining 58% of the variance in ITAS Negative scores. The independent contribution of diabetes-specific distress was suppressed following the inclusion of diabetes stigma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the first step in understanding the relationship between perceived and experienced diabetes stigma and negative insulin appraisals, and provides quantitative evidence for the strong, independent relationship between these two important constructs.

Does Time-in-Range Matter? Perspectives From People With Diabetes on the Success of Current Therapies and the Drivers of Improved Outcomes

IN BRIEF After assessing patient perspectives on the success of current diabetes therapies and the factors that have the greatest impact on daily life, we show that time-in-range is a crucial outcome for people with diabetes and that current therapies are falling short on this metric. We also show that patients feel significant stress and worry, and they believe they are falling short in diet, exercise, and weight maintenance. In addition, they believe diet and exercise and in-range blood glucose are the biggest drivers of improved diabetes management and mindset. Together, these findings support the need for therapies that improve outcomes including and beyond A1C.

The Use of Mobile Applications Among Adults with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the Second MILES-Australia (MILES-2) Study

BACKGROUND

While the number of diabetes-specific mobile applications (apps) continues to grow, there is a lack of knowledge about their actual use.

METHODS

The second MILES (Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success)-Australia study was a national cross-sectional survey of the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of diabetes for adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Associations between diabetes-specific app usage and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables were examined.

RESULTS

Of the 1589 respondents responding to the diabetes-specific app questions, 795 had T1D (mean ± standard deviation age 43 ± 14 years; 61% women; diabetes duration 19 ± 14 years) and 794 had T2D (age 60 ± 9 years; 40% women; diabetes duration 11 ± 7 years). Among adults with T1D, 24% (n = 188) reported using apps, with carbohydrate counting (74%; n = 139) as the most common cited purpose. App usage was significantly associated with shorter diabetes duration, more frequent glucose monitoring, and lower self-reported HbA1c. Among adults with T2D, 8% (n = 64) reported using apps, with glucose monitoring (62%; n = 39) as the most common purpose. For all respondents, the most commonly reported reason for not using apps was a belief that they could not help with diabetes self-management.

CONCLUSIONS

A minority of adults with T1D and T2D use apps to support their self-management. App use among adults with T1D is associated with a more recent T1D diagnosis, more frequent glucose monitoring, and lower self-reported HbA1c. Future efforts should focus on this association and determine the mechanisms by which app use is related to better clinical outcomes.