Diabetes Distress and Associated Factors in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in South East Nigeria

Background: Diabetes distress (DD) is a common worldwide problem in diabetic patients irrespective of age and type of treatment. In the DAWN 2 study (Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes, and Needs), DD was reported by 44.6% of participants. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and level of DD and its associated factors among adult diabetic patients in South East Nigeria. Methods: The present study was cross-sectional and descriptive. Patients attending the adult diabetes clinic were enrolled. The questionnaire was administered by the investigators. All patients were eligible. Their demographic and clinical data were obtained. They were screened for DD using the DD Scale (DDS)-2 and DDS-17. Data were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: There were 110 subjects (38 males and 72 females), aged 36–85 years (60.5 ± 10.0). Only 9 (8.2%) had diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1, while the rest had type 2 DM. Twenty-five subjects (22.7%) were on insulin injection. Hypertension was coexistent in 72%, and they were prescribed 3–10 medications (5.9 ± 1.5) at the time of assessment. The male and female subjects were comparable. Moderate to severe DD was present in 51.9% (DDS-17). The average scores were for DDS-2, 3.1; DDS-17, 2.3; emotional burden, 2.9; physician-related distress, 1.4; regimen-related distress, 2.5, and interpersonal distress, 2.2. Distress was significantly associated with a younger age, T1DM, longer duration of diabetes, use of insulin injection, and HbA_1C level. Conclusion: DD is a common consequence of living with diabetes and impairs diabetes self-care behavior and glycemic control. Active screening for DD should be an integral part of diabetes care. Diabetes self-management education and support should be implemented at diagnosis and as needed thereafter, especially when DD is diagnosed.