Implementing Screening For Diabetes Distress In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Spenser Beasley (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Crystal Epstein

Abstract: Background: Diabetes distress refers to the emotional burden of living with diabetes. It affects 30% of adolescents with type 1 diabetes and diminishes their ability to care for themselves. Diabetes distress is associated with above-target glycemic control, less frequent self-care behaviors, and high levels of psychological distress. Routine screening for diabetes distress in pediatric endocrinology clinics is needed to foster improved diabetes outcomes. Unfortunately, many pediatric endocrinology clinics do not meet the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to screen for diabetes distress routinely. Purpose: To implement screening for diabetes distress for adolescents with type 1 diabetes in a pediatric endocrinology clinic. Methods: The setting was a pediatric endocrinology clinic in the southeastern US. Upon arrival, adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes scanned a QR code using their cell phone or tablet. The code linked to a REDCap screening with the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) screening tool for diabetes distress. Results: Fifty-six patients were identified for screening over the 10-week cycle. Of these, 53 (90%) completed the screening. Low diabetes distress (scores between 20-29) was 15%. Moderate diabetes distress (scores between 30-39) was 5.6%. Severe diabetes distress (scores of > 40) was 22.6%. Scores < 20 were not considered reflective of diabetes distress; 56.8% of scores were less than 20. Questions relating to anxiety about diabetes, fear of diabetes complications, and feeling overwhelmed with diabetes care were the most severely ranked symptoms. The screening proved to be both efficient in implementing and identifying diabetes distress in the selected patient population. Recommendations: Diabetes distress screening tools are feasible to implement in pediatric endocrinology clinics for adolescents with type 1 diabetes. These findings confirm that diabetes distress is a prevalent problem affecting diabetic adolescents in the practice. The next steps include referring patients with moderate to severe diabetes distress scores to behavioral health counseling to help reduce the burden of diabetes distress.

Implementing Screening For Diabetes Distress In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
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Created on 6/27/2024
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Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2024

Keywords

type 1 diabetes, distress, adolescent, PAID, screening, A1C

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