A5 (P240) Reduced exercise activity is associated with increased anxiety in type 1 but not type 2 diabetes

Published Date: 14th April 2021

Publication Authors: Westall S, Narayanan RP, Sullivan H, Bujawansa S, Furlong NJ, McNulty S, Cardwell J, Mitchell L, Jackson J, Hardy KJ

Aims
Increased physical activity and a healthy lifestyle underpin efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes and are cornerstones in managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Not only is reduced activity associated with risk of weight gain and adverse metabolism, but it is also mooted to be associated with impaired psychological wellbeing. We investigated the relationship between self-reported physical activity and levels of anxiety in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Method
Before completing structured education, 398 patients completed validated questionnaires evaluating anxiety (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, HADS) and self-care activity, including exercise (Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, SDSCA). For HADS, an anxiety score ≥8 indicates potentially clinically significant anxiety. SDSCA Scores are outputted as ‘number of good days per week’ on a scale of 0–7. Results were analysed in SPSS.

Results
In people with type 1 diabetes, undertaking more days of exercise per week than average (<3.09 vs. >/=3.09) suggested a reduced risk of clinically significant anxiety, RR 0.42 (0.20−0.88, p < 0.05). Reduced levels of exercise activity correlate with increased levels of anxiety (r = −0.39, p < 0.05). In type 2 diabetes, by contrast, no such relationship was observed.

Discussion
Our study suggests reduced levels of exercise in people with type 1 diabetes increases anxiety. In contrast to type 2 diabetes, those with type 1 diabetes may be more susceptible to the impact of reduced physical activity on anxiety levels. The small sample size of type 1 patients is a limitation. Further work to increase sample size should be undertaken.

Westall, S; Narayanan, P; Sullivan, H; Bujawansa, S; Furlong, N; McNulty, S; Cardwell, J; Mitchell, L; Jackson, J; Hardy, K. (2021). A5 (P240) Reduced exercise activity is associated with increased anxiety in type 1 but not type 2 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 38 (S1), 3

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