O-58: Prospective assessment of diabetes distress in people with type 1 diabetes using the diabetes distress scale (DDS)
N Fatima, M Riaz, S Askari, S Banu, E Ghafoor, , Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC)Abstract
Introduction
Diabetes distress (DD) is a common psychosocial burden in type 1 diabetes (T1D), especially among adolescents and young adults. It is linked to poor self-care, suboptimal glycemic control, and reduced quality of life yet remains under-recognized in low- and middle-income settings.
Objectives
This study aims to prospectively assess the prevalence and severity of diabetes distress using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and its longitudinal association with demographic and clinical variables in individuals with T1D.
Methods
This ongoing multicenter prospective cohort at tertiary centers enrolls individuals aged ≥13 years with T1D duration ≥1 year for longitudinal follow-up. Baseline sociodemographic and clinical data (HbA1c, fasting glucose, insulin regimen, total daily dose, self-monitoring frequency) are recorded. Diabetes distress is assessed using DDS-28 at baseline and follow-ups. Primary endpoints: (1) change in DDS over time; (2) proportion with clinically significant distress (DDS ≥ 2.0); and (3) association between distress and HbA1c.
Results
To date, 130 participants are enrolled (mean age 20.35±8.3 years; 60.8% males) with a mean diabetes duration of 7.2±6.6 years. The mean HbA1c is 9.49±2.92% and FBS 151.8±119.7 mg/dl; the mean daily insulin dose is 40.45±18.11 units. The mean DDS score is 2.77±1.38, with 27.7%, 30.0%, and 42.3% having low, moderate, and high distress, respectively; over half have clinically significant distress (DDS ≥ 2.0). Emotional and regimen-related distress are most affected. Higher distress is associated with poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 9%) and longer diabetes duration (p < 0.05), with no association with gender, insulin dose, or delivery method.
Conclusions
Interim results from this multicenter prospective cohort show a high burden of diabetes distress in T1D, particularly in emotional and regimen-related domains. Ongoing follow-up will clarify trends and causality. Routine longitudinal DDS screening may enable early psychological support and improve outcomes.