Association between the Type of Diabetes Treatment and Depressive Symptoms among Patients with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study of Korea Community Health Surveys Data, 2011-2016

Diabetes Distress Among Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia

Background Psychological morbidity is clinically important for diabetes patients because it is often associated with worse glycemic outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes distress among adult type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methodology A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among type 1 DM patients in KSA from 2021 to 2022. An online validated questionnaire was adopted to collect data, including demographic information, medical and social information, and Saudi Arabian Diabetes Distress Scale-17 (SADDS-17) score to assess diabetes distress. Results This study included 356 type 1 DM patients. Most patients were females (74%), with ages ranging between 14 and 62 years. More than half (53%) had a high level of diabetes distress with a mean score of 3.1 ± 1.23. Among those patients, the highest score (up to 60%) was related to regimen-related distress, the lowest score (around 42%) was related to diabetes-related interpersonal distress, and physician-related distress and emotional burden were reported among 55% and 51%, respectively. More than half (56%) of the patients treated with an insulin pen compared to 43% treated with an insulin pump had high diabetes distress (p = 0.049). The level of HbA1c was significantly higher among patients with high diabetic distress (7.93 ± 1.72 vs. 7.55 ± 1.65; p = 0.038). Conclusions Diabetes distress is prevalent among adult type 1 DM patients in KSA. Therefore, we recommend organizing a screening program for early discovery and prompt psychiatric management, incorporating diabetes education and nutrition consultation to improve their quality of life, and engaging patients in their own management to improve their glycemic control.

High prevalence of hypertension among smokers of conventional and e-cigarette: Using the nationally representative community dwelling survey

This study aimed to clarify the association between hypertension and conventional cigarette and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, together or individually. A total of 275,762 participants were included, of which 120,766 were men and 154,996 were women. The data were drawn from the Korea Community Health Survey conducted in 2019. A multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the association between hypertension and types of smoking. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure higher than 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mmHg. Based on the types of smoking, participants were grouped as dual smokers of conventional and e-cigarettes, e-cigarette only smokers, conventional cigarette only smokers, past-smokers, and non-smokers. Compared to non-smokers, dual smokers presented the highest odds ratio for hypertension in the male [odds ratio (OR): 1.24, confidence interval (CI): 1.10 to 1.39] and female groups (OR: 1.44 CI: 0.96 to 2.15). According to the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, the two-sided p-value of < 0.001 indicated an overall statistically significant association between types of smoking and hypertension. Use of both cigarette types was statistically significant in the male group, but only the use of conventional cigarettes and past smoking were statistically significant in the female group. Among smokers of the two cigarette types, those who were dual smokers of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes were the most likely to have the highest prevalence of hypertension.

Do the Self-Reported Changes in Physical Activity After the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Associate With Major Depression According to Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Status?

BACKGROUND

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and social distancing increased, the physical activity (PA) of people decreased, which increased depression. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between self-reported changes in PA with the COVID-19 pandemic and major depression according to moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) status.

METHODS

This study included 228,457 adults and used data from the Korea Community Health Survey 2020. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between self-reported changes in PA and major depression stratified by MVPA status.

RESULTS

The percentage of participants who reported decreases in PA was 39.5% in men and 44.7% in women compared with the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period. Those who reported decreases in PA after the onset of COVID-19 had major depression (men odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.43 and women odds ratio = 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.46). Women who were moderately or vigorously physically active had higher odds of major depression when they reported decreases in PA (odds ratio = 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.62).

CONCLUSIONS

People who reported decreases in PA were associated with major depression compared with the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period. Based on this, the government should encourage exercise to reduce major depression and provide guidelines for PA at home or outdoors.

Association between Blood Glucose Control and Subjective Cognitive Decline in Korean Patients with Diabetes Aged over 50 Years

This study aimed to investigate the association between blood glucose control and subjective cognitive decline in adult patients with diabetes. Using the 2018 data from the community health survey, we included 18,789 patients with diabetes aged ≥50 years who had complete responses recorded. Blood glucose control was the independent variable, and subjective cognitive decline was the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between blood glucose control and subjective cognitive decline. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that blood glucose control was inversely associated with subjective cognitive decline in patients with diabetes. Patients with uncontrolled blood glucose levels had higher odds of subjective cognitive decline than those with controlled blood glucose levels (odds ratio = 1.22; 95% confidence interval: 1.10, 1.34). Our findings suggest that patients with diabetes may demonstrate subjective cognitive decline if their blood glucose levels are not well-controlled.

Stress, Depression, and Unhealthy Behavior Changes among Patients with Diabetes during COVID-19 in Korea

The government ordered various restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), thus, affecting the mental health status and lifestyle of people with diabetes. This study identifies COVID-19 effects on mental health problems and unhealthy behavioral changes among patients with diabetes. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were adults aged 19 years or older who participated in the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey. Stress, depression, and changes in unhealthy behavior in diabetic patients (N = 26,839) because of COVID-19 were compared with controls (N = 26,834). The association between stress and depression and unhealthy behaviors among patients with diabetes was investigated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 20.3% and 4.2% of diabetic patients reported higher levels of stress and depression, respectively, than controls. Diabetic patients showed decreased physical activity and sleep time, and increased smoking. Among diabetic patients, stress and depression are associated with unhealthy behavior changes during COVID-19. Measures to promote healthy lifestyles along with stress and depression management strategies must be implemented for the health care of diabetic patients during the pandemic.

Diabetes-Related Distress and Its Associated Factors Among Patients with Diabetes in Vietnam

Background

Psychometric properties are regarded as one of the significant contributors related to diabetes treatment efficacy. Diabetes-related distress (DD) is one of the emotional burdens. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of DD and to determine its associated factors among Vietnamese diabetic patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a single medical center in the central of Vietnam. A total of 138 eligible DM outpatients were invited and a total of 112 patients who completed the questionnaire were utilized in this analysis using convenience sampling. DD was assessed using the diabetes distress scale (DDS). The participant’s sociodemographic and clinical information was obtained through face-to-face interviews and medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with the presence of DD.

Results

Approximately, 12.5% of the patients experienced DD based on DDS self-administered questionnaire. The rates of mild/moderate and high distress were 8.0% and 4.5%, respectively. DD was found to be significantly higher in type 1 DM (p=0.04), insulin only in treatment regime (p=0.04), physical inactivities (p=0.02), times of mild hypoglycemia (time/month) (p=0.01), and fasting plasma glucose (mmol/l) (p=0.04). The occurrence of distress among DM patients was negatively correlated with their age and amount of physical exercise. Meanwhile, poor HbA1c control (HbA1c≥7%) was associated with an increased occurrence of diabetes distress.

Conclusion

The findings of single medical center in Vietnam highlights that DD is prevalent among DM patients. It should be of marked concerns, particularly the type 1 diabetic patients, younger age, and poor glycemic control patients.