Stability and impact of diabetes distress over time: The potential value and uses of the type 1 diabetes distress assessment system (T1-DDAS)

Authors: Danielle M Hessler, William H Polonsky, Lisa Strycker, Diana Naranjo, Katherine Greenberg, Lawrence Fisher

Abstract

Aims: To document stability and change over time, define a minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and examine the predictive validity of the new Type 1 Diabetes Distress Assessment System (T1-DDAS).

Methods: A total of 574 adults with type 1 diabetes recruited through national registries and previous studies completed the T1-DDAS Core and Source scales alongside a report of insulin taking and glycaemic measures at baseline and 6 months later.

Results: The MCID for the T1-DAS is ±0.27. T1-DDAS scores were highly stable over 6 months: 88% of individuals with elevated Core Diabetes Distress (DD) in the study continued to report elevated DD at or above the 2.0 threshold 6 months later; 57% reported no improvement or a worsening in Core DD based on MCID. Elevated DD at baseline was linked to worsening in reported missed insulin bolus taking and HbA1c at 6 months.

Conclusions: Findings add to our understanding of DD and the utility of the T1-DDAS by demonstrating the stability and predictive validity of the T1-DDAS Core and Source scales to assess DD.

Keywords: diabetes distress; emotion; type 1 diabetes.

Source: Stability and impact of diabetes distress over time: The potential value and uses of the type 1 diabetes distress assessment system (T1-DDAS) – PubMed

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BDI Monthly Events

November 11: BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at info@behavioraldiabetes.org if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.

November 14: World Diabetes Day! Time for another T1D meet-up! GrownupT1Ds, a wonderful nonprofit that organizes fun social events for adults with type 1 diabetes here in southern California and now spreading to other cities across the United States. The next local one will be at Brewery X, 3191 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806. Things get started at 2:00 P.M. Please RSVP at kelly@grownup.t1ds.org

This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for the individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and friends who make up the BDI community. Thank you for your continued support and for sharing in our mission to improve the emotional well-being of people living with diabetes. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and happy Thanksgiving!

November 3: Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) will be speaking on “Engaging the Disengaged: Diabetes Distress, Diabetes Burnout and More” at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group’s 32th Annual Diabetes Hybrid Symposium, in Long Beach (CA).