Background: Research on the diagnosis of diabetes portrays it as a functional process of adapting to the condition. People experience variations in physical and psychosocial responses to their diagnosis. No known research has compared diagnosis experiences between people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The purpose of this study was to identify similarities and differences in T1D and T2D diagnosis stories.
Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with adults with T1D and T2D. Two researchers coded the interviews, met to resolve discrepancies, and agreed on themes using NVivo software.
Results: A purposive sample of 48 adults participated (mean A1C=7.7±1.8%; mean duration=13.4±12.9 years, mean age=45.8±21.7 years). Nineteen (39.6%) reported a diagnosis of T1D and 29 (60.4%) reported a diagnosis of T2D. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: 1) Similar Emotional Reactions to Diagnosis: Both participants with T1D and T2D expressed feelings of frustration, depression, fear, and denial in their diagnosis experiences. Interestingly, only T2D participants expressed worry for long-term complications, with some individuals equating their diagnosis to a “death sentence.” 2) Similar Experiences with Diagnosis as a Major Life Event: Both T1D and T2D participants described their diagnosis as a significant life event, with several noting that their life will never be the same. 3) Different Perceptions of Diagnosis as a Surprise: Participants with T1D described their diagnosis as a surprise, whereas participants with T2D did not. Those with T1D expressed initial feelings of denial, while those with T2D referred to their diabetes as inevitable.
Conclusion: T1D and T2D participants shared similar emotional reactions, and both described their diagnosis as a major life event. Differently, T1D participants perceived their diagnosis as a surprise, while T2D participants expected their diagnosis. This information may assist clinicians in supporting people with diabetes at diagnosis.
A.M.Pugh: None. E.A.Beverly: None.
