Publications

BDI along with colleagues in the field of diabetes health and mental well being are continuously working on research projects to further improve the lives of people living with diabetes worldwide.

Understanding the sources of diabetes distress in adults with type 1 diabetes

Authors: Fisher, L., Polonsky, WH., Hessler, DM., Masharani, U., Blumer, I., Peters, AL., Strycher, LA., Bowyer, V. Abstract Aims: To identify the unique sources of diabetes distress (DD) for adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Sources of DD were developed from qualitative interviews with 25 T1D adults and 10 diabetes health care providers. Survey items were then developed and

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Causal and bidirectional linkages over time between depression and diabetes regimen distress in adults with type 2 diabetes

Authors: Hessler, D., Fisher, L., Strycker, LA., Arean, PA., Bowyer, V. Abstract Aims: Diabetes regimen distress (RD) and depression are related constructs, however the nature of their relationship has not been explored over time, leading to difficulties differentiating between RD and depression and for selection of programs of care. We examined longitudinal associations between RD and depression to explicate the

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The confusing tale of depression and distress in patients with diabetes: a call for greater clarity and precision

Authors: Fisher, L. Gonzalez, JS. , Polonsky, WH. Abstract Studies have identified significant linkages between depression and diabetes, with depression associated with poor self-management behaviour, poor clinical outcomes and high rates of mortality. However, findings are not consistent across studies, yielding confusing and contradictory results about these relationships. We suggest that there has been a failure to define and measure

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What is so tough about self-monitoring of blood glucose? Perceived obstacles among patients with Type 2 diabetes

Authors:  Polonsky, WH. Fisher, L., Hessler, D., Edelman, SV. Abstract Aims: To identify patient-reported obstacles to self-monitoring of blood glucose among those with Type 2, both insulin users and non-insulin users, and to investigate how obstacles are associated with frequency of self-monitoring and use of self-monitoring data. Methods: Patients with Type 2 diabetes (n = 886, 65% insulin users) who attended

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Changes in A1C levels are significantly associated with changes in levels of the cardiovascular risk biomarker hs-CRP: results from the SteP study

Authors: Schnell, O., Amann-Zalan, I., Jelsovsky, Z., Moritz, A., Bermejo, JL., Parkin, CG., Schweitzer, MA., Fisher, L., Polonsky, WH. Abstract Objective: The effect of therapeutic strategies on cardiovascular (CV) disease can be evaluated by monitoring changes in CV risk biomarkers. This study investigated the effect of a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) protocol and the resulting improvements in glycemic

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Self-monitoring of blood glucose in noninsulin-using type 2 diabetic patients: right answer, but wrong question: self-monitoring of blood glucose can be clinically valuable for noninsulin users

Authors: Polonsky, WH., Fisher, L. Abstract Given the importance of glycemic control in the development of diabetes complications, the plethora of tools now available to monitor the day-to-day trends in glycemia is remarkable. In this regard, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been considered a key component of patient management. Arguably, there remains almost universal agreement that SMBG should be

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The impact of structured blood glucose testing on attitudes toward self-management among poorly controlled, insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes

Authors: Fisher, L., Polonsky, WH., Parkin, CG., Jelsovsky, Z., Petersen, B., Wagner, RS. Abstract Introduction: Patients with T2DM often view self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) as burdensome and pointless, which may affect their broader attitudes toward diabetes management. We examined how a structured SMBG protocol influenced diabetes self-efficacy and autonomous motivation over time, and linked these to changes in glycemic

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When is diabetes distress clinically meaningful?: establishing cut points for the Diabetes Distress Scale

Authors: Fisher, L., Hessler, DM., Polonsky, WH., Mullan, J. Abstract Objective: To identify the pattern of relationships between the 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS17) and diabetes variables to establish scale cut points for high distress among patients with type 2 diabetes. Research design and methods: Recruited were 506 study 1 and 392 study 2 adults with type 2 diabetes from

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A survey of blood glucose monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes: are recommendations from health care professionals being followed?

Authors: Polonsky, WH., Fisher, L., Hessler, D., Edelman, SV. Abstract Objective: To survey the self-reported use of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), both insulin users (IUs) and non-insulin users (NIUs), in the United States and to examine: how often patients test; what SMBG instructions patients report receiving from their health care providers (HCPs);

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Are patients’ initial experiences at the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes associated with attitudes and self-management over time?

AUTHORS: Polonsky, WH., Fisher, L., Guzman, S., Sieber, WJ., Philis-Tsimikas, A., Edelman, SV Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate patients’ experiences when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related distress and self-management years later. Method One hundred seventy-nine adults with type 2 diabetes, 1 to 5 years after diagnosis, completed a questionnaire assessing what they were

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BDI Monthly Events

November 11
November 11Case Consultation
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
November 14World Diabetes Day!
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
November 26
November 26Happy Thanksgiving!
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
November 3Engaging the Disengaged
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).

Publications

BDI along with colleagues in the field of diabetes health and mental well being are continuously working on research projects

Read More