The impact of a validated structured education programme on diabetes-related distress in patients with type 1 diabetes
Published Date: 07th October 2020
Publication Authors: Narayanan RP, Westall S, Sullivan H, Cardwell J, Langan E, Gallagher CG, Bujawansa S, McNulty S, Furlong NJ, Hardy KJ
Background and Aim
People with type 1 diabetes experience varying degrees of the emotional burden of diabetes and its treatments. The Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire can be used to evaluate this domain. As part of a local, validated structured education programme for people with type 1 diabetes, baseline and endpoint measurements of diabetes‐related distress were measured using the PAID questionnaire. Scores of 40+ on PAID indicate a degree of emotional burnout warranting intervention.
Methods
Both newly diagnosed and prevalent patients with type 1 diabetes who attended structured education were invited to complete the PAID questionnaire before and after structured education. Data from the questionnaires were analysed in Excel with the ‘Analysis ToolPak’.
Results
In total, 51 patients, mean age 45 (SD 16), completed a baseline questionnaire between December 2017 and August 2019. A total of 39 patients completed the after‐course questionnaire. 31% of patients scored 40+ in the baseline PAID questionnaire, reducing to 10% after the course. The mean score reduced from 30.3 to 20.0 (p 0.004).
Conclusions
The questionnaire demonstrated that diabetes‐related distress is highly prevalent in our patients, with a not‐insignificant proportion classified at risk of ‘emotional burnout’. We showed a statistically significant, clinically meaningful impact on diabetes‐related distress. At St Helens Hospital, we are trialling the integration of primary care psychological support (with MindsMatters) into our diabetes education programmes. In liaison with our colleagues in mental health, we are developing pathways towards tailored early access to local primary and secondary care mental health, substance misuse and psychology services for patients with severe anxiety or depression related to their diabetes or otherwise.
Narayanan, RP; Westall, SJ; Sullivan, H; Cardwell, J; Langan, E; Gallagher, C; Bujawansa, S; McNulty, S; Furlong, N; Hardy, K. (2020). The impact of a validated structured education programme on diabetes-related distress in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 37 (S1), 100