TY - JOUR

T1 - The impact of hypoglycaemia on quality of life among adults with type 1 diabetes

T2 - Results from “YourSAY: Hypoglycaemia”

AU - Chatwin, Hannah

AU - Broadley, Melanie

AU - Hendrieckx, Christel

AU - Carlton, Jill

AU - Heller, Simon

AU - Amiel, Stephanie A.

AU - de Galan, Bastiaan

AU - McCrimmon, Rory J.

AU - Pedersen-Bjergaard, Ulrik

AU - Pouwer, Frans

AU - Speight, Jane

AU - on behalf of the Hypo-RESOLVE consortium

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Aims: Research on hypoglycaemia and quality of life (QoL) has focused mostly on severe hypoglycaemia and psychological outcomes, with less known about other aspects of hypoglycaemia (e.g., self-treated episodes) and impacts on other QoL domains (e.g., relationships). Therefore, we examined the impact of all aspects of hypoglycaemia on QoL in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Methods: Participants completed an online survey, including assessment of hypoglycaemia-specific QoL (using the 12-item Hypoglycaemia Impact Profile). Mann-Whitney U tests examined differences in hypoglycaemia-specific QoL by hypoglycaemia frequency, severity, and awareness. Hierarchical linear regression examined associations with QoL. Results: Participants were 1028 adults with T1DM (M ± SD age: 47 ± 15 years; diabetes duration: 27 ± 16 years). Severe and self-treated hypoglycaemia and impaired awareness negatively impacted on overall QoL and several QoL domains, including leisure activities, physical health, ability to keep fit/be active, sleep, emotional well-being, spontaneity, independence, work/studies, and dietary freedom. Diabetes distress was most strongly associated with hypoglycaemia-specific QoL, followed by generic emotional well-being, fear of hypoglycaemia, and confidence in managing hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia frequency and awareness were no longer significantly associated with QoL once psychological factors were considered. Conclusions: Hypoglycaemia negatively impacts on several QoL domains. Psychological factors supersede the effect of hypoglycaemia frequency and awareness in accounting for this negative impact.

AB - Aims: Research on hypoglycaemia and quality of life (QoL) has focused mostly on severe hypoglycaemia and psychological outcomes, with less known about other aspects of hypoglycaemia (e.g., self-treated episodes) and impacts on other QoL domains (e.g., relationships). Therefore, we examined the impact of all aspects of hypoglycaemia on QoL in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Methods: Participants completed an online survey, including assessment of hypoglycaemia-specific QoL (using the 12-item Hypoglycaemia Impact Profile). Mann-Whitney U tests examined differences in hypoglycaemia-specific QoL by hypoglycaemia frequency, severity, and awareness. Hierarchical linear regression examined associations with QoL. Results: Participants were 1028 adults with T1DM (M ± SD age: 47 ± 15 years; diabetes duration: 27 ± 16 years). Severe and self-treated hypoglycaemia and impaired awareness negatively impacted on overall QoL and several QoL domains, including leisure activities, physical health, ability to keep fit/be active, sleep, emotional well-being, spontaneity, independence, work/studies, and dietary freedom. Diabetes distress was most strongly associated with hypoglycaemia-specific QoL, followed by generic emotional well-being, fear of hypoglycaemia, and confidence in managing hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia frequency and awareness were no longer significantly associated with QoL once psychological factors were considered. Conclusions: Hypoglycaemia negatively impacts on several QoL domains. Psychological factors supersede the effect of hypoglycaemia frequency and awareness in accounting for this negative impact.

KW - Fear of hypoglycaemia

KW - Hypoglycaemia

KW - Psychological functioning

KW - Quality of life

KW - T1DM

KW - Well-being

U2 - 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2022.108232

DO - 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2022.108232

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35927177

AN - SCOPUS:85135368943

VL - 37

JO - Journal of Diabetes and its Complications

JF - Journal of Diabetes and its Complications

SN - 1056-8727

M1 - 108232

ER -