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

June 5 - 8: It will be a busy time at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (New Orleans, LA), with new projects to be developed, old friends to see, and much to learn. Dr. Polonsky, BDI President, will serve a co-author on four poster presentations

May 13: BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at [email protected] if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.

August 14 - 16. Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) will be hosting the in-person ONE event, an amazing weekend experience here in San Diego for more than 500 people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones. Dr. Polonsky is honored to be one of the presenters, and we will hope to see many of you there. There are still a few spaces left, so if you’d like to know more, please visit

On October 24, BDI will host a live, one-day, CME workshop: Engaging the Disengaged: Innovative Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes. Run by Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) and Dr. Guzman (BDI Clinic Director), Participants will deepen their skills in recognizing and addressing common barriers to effective self-care and cardiometabolic medication initiation and maintenance, while fostering respectful, stigma-free clinical encounters.