Diabetes distress and its clinical determinants in patients with type II diabetes

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the status of diabetes distress and its clinical determinants in type II diabetes patients. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 220 patients with t diabetes referred to Diabetes Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil, Iran. The samples were selected using convenience sampling method. Data collection tools included demographic and disease form and Diabetes Mellitus Scale (DDS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22 via descriptive (frequency, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (compare means, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression). Results: The average duration of diabetes was 7.64 (SD ¼ 4.68) years. 63.7% of the patients had moderate to severe diabetes-related distress. Emotional burden dimension had the highest score among the subscales of diabetes distress. In addition, there was a correlation between positive family history (p ¼ 0.017), duration of diabetes (p ¼ 0.028) and type of treatment (p ¼ 0.47) and diabetes distress. Hemoglobin A1C levels, body mass index and triglyceride were the major predictors of diabetes distress. Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of diabetes distress in patients with type II diabetes, it seems that paying attention to clinical predictors of distress and screening of patients with diabetes is a reasonable and accessible method for health care providers and patients to improve their disease management