762-P: High Hypoglycemia Self-Confidence Is Related to Better Glycemic Control and Low Diabetes Distress Levels in a Brazilian Sample of T1D Adults from Public and Private Diabetes Clinics

Keeping blood glucose levels within 70% in range 70-180 mg/dl and HbA1c < 7% are the main treatment goals for T1D patients. Recent studies have shown that hypoglycemia self-confidence (HC) has a major impact on self-care and diabetes outcomes and several studies demonstrated that diabetes-distress (DD) negatively affects glycemic control. This study aimed: 1- to measure HC and DD scores in T1D patients, and 2- to determine the association among HC, DD and glycemic control in a sample of T1D adults followed at the State University of Campinas and in a private diabetes clinic in Campinas, Brazil. In a cross-sectional study, 66 T1D adults were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were age >18 and diagnosis of T1D > 6 months. Exclusion criteria were cognitive impairment, history of major psychiatric disorders, and severe diabetes-related complications. The Hypoglycemia Self-Confidence Scale (HCS), assessed HC, and Type One Diabetes Distress Scale (T1DDS), assessed DD. Metabolic control was evaluated by HbA1c. Severe hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis episodes were obtained through interview and from medical records. Sixty-two percent were female, aged 35.33 ± 11.07 years, time of T1D: 21.21 ± 11.02 years, schooling: 15.24 ± 3.83 years. The mean HbA1c was 8.29% ± 1.32%. Thirty-three percent reported severe hypoglycemia and 19.70% had ketoacidosis in the last 12 months. T1DDS score was 2.39 ± 0.90, indicating clinically relevant distress and the HCS score was 2.97 ± 0.66, demonstrating moderate hypoglycemia self-confidence. HCS was significantly associated with HbA1c, DD, and masculine gender (p<0.05). High HC is related to less DD and low HbA1c. Strategies to improve HC may contribute to improve glycemic control and to decrease psychological suffering in T1D patients.