Background: We investigated the clinical features of patients with high diabetes distress, focusing on changes in glycemic control, dietary behaviors, and risk of diabetic complications.
Methods: From the Korean National Diabetes Program data, we investigated 1,862 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who completed the Korean version of the Problem Areas in Diabetes Survey (PAID-K). A total score ≥40 was considered indicative of high distress.
Results: Individuals with high distress (n=589) had significantly higher levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) than those without distress, and this trend persisted for three years. In a subgroup of individuals with HbA1c <6.5% at baseline, patients with high distress were less likely to maintain HbA1c <6.5% after three years of follow-up (41.2% vs. 60.6%, p=0.007). Higher PAID-K scores were associated with younger age, longer duration of diabetes, higher HbA1c level, higher carbohydrate intake, and lower fiber intake (all p<0.05). There was a significant association between high distress and diabetic neuropathy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63; p=0.002), but no significant association was found with other complications, including retinopathy, albuminuria, and carotid artery plaque.
Conclusion: High diabetes distress was associated with uncontrolled hyperglycemia, a high-carbohydrate and low-fiber diet, and higher odds of diabetic neuropathy.
Y.Cho: None. Y.Kim: None. D.Seo: None. S.Ahn: None. S.Hong: None. S.Kim: None.
