UNRAVELLING AN UNRECOGNIZED CAUSE OF DIABETES DISTRESS AMONGST DIABETES PATIENTS DURING WORLD DIABETES DAY 2024 SCREENING INITIATIVE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
In observance of World Diabetes Day 2024, with the theme Diabetes and Well-being: Physical, Mental, and Societal Health, a screening was conducted to assess diabetes distress among patients at the diabetes clinic of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang.

METHODOLOGY
A total of 34 patients participated in the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17) screening, either self-administered or assisted by diabetes educators with informed consent. DDS-17 assesses four subscales: Emotional Burden, Physician-Related Distress, Regimen-Related Distress, and Interpersonal Distress. A mean score ≥3 indicated significant distress. Patients with significant Emotional Burden were further screened for depression and anxiety using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).

RESULT
The cohort comprised 8 males and 26 females, with a mean age of 47.5 years. The median DDS-17 score was 2.0, with Emotional Burden having the highest median score (2.81), followed by Regimen-Related Distress (2.40), Interpersonal Distress (1.67), and Physician-Related Distress (1.25). Notably, 13 patients (38.2%) reported significant Emotional Burden, of whom 8 (61.5%) screened positive for depression (PHQ-9 ≥5) and anxiety (GAD-7 ≥5). Among them, 4 had mild depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 and GAD-7: 5–9), 1 had moderate depression and mild anxiety (PHQ-9: 10–14, GAD-7: 5–9), 1 had moderate depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 and GAD-7: 10–14), and 2 had severe depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 and GAD-7: 20–27). These patients were referred for psychiatric assessment. Additionally, 6 patients (17.6%) had significant diabetes distress (DDS ≥3).

CONCLUSION
This screening revealed a significant emotional burden among diabetes patients, previously unrecognized. Further studies need to be conducted for future recommendations for screening for diabetes distress and emotional burden in diabetes patients to improve patient outcomes and well-being.