624-P: Portrayal of Perceived Stigma across Ages in Type 1 Diabetes—A BETTER Registry Analysis

Background: People with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) perceiving high diabetes-related stigma are less likely to report in-target A1c levels. We hypothesized that people with higher levels of stigma have suboptimal psychosocial outcomes and that stigma would be perceived differently across age groups.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 709 PWT1D aged ≥14 years in the BETTER T1D registry (Quebec, Canada) who completed the T1D Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-1). The DSAS-1 (/95) includes 3 subscales; Blame & Judgment (6 items), Identity Concern (7 items), and Treated Differently (6 items). Individuals who perceived more stigma compared to the total cohort (DSAS-1 mean score +1 standard deviation), were stratified into groups by age to determine associations with diabetes self-management behaviours and outcomes.

Results: Across groups, youth (n=105; 14-24 years) had the highest stigma perception (20%), followed by 18% in middle-aged adults (n=401; 35-64 years), then 15% for both young adults (n=130; 25-34 years) and seniors (n=73; 65+ years). The majority of youth, young and middle-aged adults, and seniors perceived stigma as Blame & Judgment (51%, 44%, 33%, and 19%, respectively). Stigma related to Identity Concern was highest among seniors (15%). In an age- and diabetes duration-adjusted models, 40% of adjusted variance in stigma score was explained by increased diabetes distress (p<0.001), depression (p=0.005), hyperglycemia avoidance behaviours (p<0.001), fear of hypoglycemia (p<0.001) and decreased social support (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Interventions targeting diabetes-related stigma need to be tailored for different age groups to target suboptimal diabetes self-management behaviours and improve psychosocial outcomes.