Aim: Emerging adults (EA) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have higher rates of suicide risk compared to their peers without T1D. This is the first known study to examine the association between diabetes distress (DD) and suicide risk in EA with T1D.
Methods: EA completed measures of DD (Problem Areas in Diabetes-Teen; PAID-T), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9) and anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7) as part of routine clinical care. Suicide risk was assessed as a binary variable using PHQ-9 item 9, which queries about thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the relationship between DD and suicide risk. Analyses were adjusted for depression as measured by the PHQ-8 (first 8 PHQ-9 items), anxiety, sex, and BMI.
Results: Sample included 450 EA. Approximately 9% of participants reported suicide risk; endorsement of suicide risk was associated with elevated A1C and female sex (Table 1). Adjusted regression analyses show an additional 10 points on the PAID-T was associated with over doubled odds of endorsing suicide risk (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.12-3.83).
Conclusion: DD may be a unique risk factor for suicide risk in EA with T1D. Routine screening of DD is critical for early identification and offers a potential intervention point for patients who may be at increased risk for suicide.
A.Moss: Other Relationship; American Diabetes Association. F.Malik: None. S.J.Lowry: None. A.J.Roberts: None. A.Huang: None. C.Pihoker: None. K.Weaver: None. I.B.Hirsch: Consultant; Abbott Diabetes, Lifecare, Inc., Hagar, Research Support; Beta Bionics, Inc., Insulet Corporation, Dexcom, Inc. N.M.Ehrhardt: Advisory Panel; Novo Nordisk, Dexcom, Inc., Consultant; Nestlé Health Science. A.Zenno: None.