Diabetes Stigma and Use of Diabetes Technologies among US Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Nearly 80% of adults with diabetes report experiences of diabetes stigma, varying by the use of insulin therapy. We aimed to examine associations between diabetes stigma and the use of diabetes technologies among adults with insulin and non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D). In August 2022, 947 adults with T2D (mean age: 64±11 years; duration T2D: 19±9 years; 62% women; 61% insulin-treated) from the dQ&A US Patient Panel completed an online survey. Questions included the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-2) and diabetes and demographic characteristics. DSAS-2 total and subscale (Treated Differently, Blame and Judgment, Self Stigma) scores were compared by device use (independent samples t-test), and separately by treatment (insulin vs. non-insulin). Individuals with non-insulin-treated T2D using (vs. not using) CGM reported more stigma (Total; Treated Differently; Blame & Judgment) but did not differ on Self Stigma (Table). Stigma did not differ by device use among participants on insulin treatment, but was higher overall than those on non-insulin treatment. Further research is needed to understand how the experience of diabetes stigma may be affected by the visibility of T2D, specifically via diabetes technologies. Disclosure M.Garza: Other Relationship; Sanofi. E.Shoger: Other Relationship; Dexcom, Inc., Abbott Diabetes, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Beta Bionics, Inc., Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MannKind Corporation. E.Holmes-truscott: Research Support; Sanofi, AstraZeneca. K.Joiner: None. A.Addala: None. D.Naranjo: None. E.A.Beverly: None. J.Speight: Research Support; Sanofi, Medtronic, Abbott Diabetes, Lilly, Novo Nordisk A/S, Speaker's Bureau; Sanofi.