Background: Diabetes distress (DD) is a significant barrier to effective self-care and diabetes management. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of DD among patients with diabetes at Assuit University Hospital (AUH) and identify potential predictors. Additionally, to explore the relationship between DD and diabetes-related stigma, and self-care activities.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 295 patients with diabetes at AUH. Data were collected using questionnaires on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, DD, diabetes-related stigma, and self-care activities.
Results: The average age of the patients was 53.9±9.6 years, with the majority being female (85.5%). The mean duration of diabetes was 9.34±5.7 years. About two-thirds of the patients had uncontrolled diabetes (67.1%). Nearly half (47.8%) of participants experienced moderate to high levels of DD, while 52.2% reported little or no DD. The highest level of DD was regimen-related among 49.5% and the lowest was emotional burden among 13.6%. Statistically significant associations were found between DD and factors such as age, marital status, treatment type, hypertension, nephropathy, HbA1c levels, and stigma scale. In the adjusted logistic regression model, the predictors of moderate or high levels of DD included being 40-60 years, married, hypertensive, having nephropathy, experiencing a high level of stigma, and having elevated HbA1c levels.
Conclusions: High degree of DD was found to be linked with high levels of HA1c level and a higher perception of diabetes-related stigma. Screening for DD, and diabetic stigma together with tailoring self-care activities should be principal components of diabetes management protocols.