1-4,6Western New England University; Springfield, MA
5Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center; Walla Walla, WA
Background/Purpose: Diabetes distress is a negative emotional state that can arise from the demands of living with diabetes and is distinct from depression. Diabetes distress is common in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and correlates with glycemic outcomes and self-care behaviors. Validated assessment tools, such as the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), can be used to screen for diabetes distress.
Methods: Participants with T2D were recruited during routine visits at the pharmacist-run community care clinic. Participants completed an A1C check, a demographic survey, the DDS, and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2). Depending on the total DDS score and subscale specific responses, participants qualified for pharmacist-led educational interventions based on the ADCES7 Self-Care BehaviorsTM. After 6 months, participants completed an A1C check, a satisfaction survey, the DDS, and PHQ-2.
Results: Among the 54 participants, diabetes distress was present in 77.4% and did not correlate with A1C; the emotional burden was most common in 64.2%, followed by regimen distress in 45.3%, interpersonal distress in 34.0%, and physician distress in 20.8%. A total of 45 participants (83.3%) completed the study. Significant reductions occurred in overall DDS score (2.1 to 1.7; P = 0.003), emotional burden (2.4 to 1.8; P = 0.001), regimen distress (2.3 to 1.7; P < 0.001), A1C (6.8% to 6.5%; P = 0.015), and PHQ-2 score (1.6 to 1.0; P = 0.022). Participants were highly satisfied with the service, their knowledge, and self-management skills following the completion of the study.
Conclusions: Diabetes distress was present in most participants, regardless of A1C. Pharmacist-led educational interventions significantly reduced overall DDS score, emotional burden, regimen distress, A1C, and PHQ-2 score. Participants were highly satisfied with the service. The results of this study suggest people with T2D should receive routine screening for diabetes distress, and pharmacists can positively affect diabetes management and emotional well-being through tailored education.
Disclosures: This work was supported by a grant from Western New England University to purchase point-ofcare testing supplies.