Introduction: Diabetes-specific distress (DD) is the least evaluated psychological comorbidity among adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to assess longitudinally DD levels in adolescents with T2D.
Methods: Adolescents with T2D completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), World Health Organisation-5 Wellbeing Index (WHO-5), and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) at baseline, 3 and 6 months to measure DD levels, general emotional wellbeing, and depressive symptoms, respectively. A linear regression model was used to estimate differences in means and 95% confidence intervals with Generalised Estimating Equations.
Results: Thirty-seven adolescents with T2D participated (24 females, 34 from non-Indigenous background, mean+SD age 15.9±2.2 years, mean diabetes duration of 2.2±1.6 years, median [IQR] HbA1c 6.7[5.9-8.9]%. Adolescents with T2D have persistent DD (highest levels in the emotional burden and regimen-related domains), high depressive symptoms and deterioration of emotional wellbeing over six months (See Table 1).
Conclusion: DD and depressive symptoms persisted over time, whilst emotional wellbeing deteriorated, approaching suboptimal levels in adolescents with T2D. Regular screening and management of DD (especially emotional burden and regimen-related distress) and emotional wellbeing should occur during follow-up of adolescents with T2D.
Y. Luu: None. M. Shah: None. M. Oxlad: Research Support; Ferring Pharmaceuticals Australia. J.A. Curran: Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company. D. Spajic: None. A.S. Pena: None.
