Explaining psychological insulin resistance in adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. The roles of diabetes distress and current medication concerns: Results from Diabetes MILES-Australia

E. Holmes-Truscott, T.C. Skinner, F. Pouwer, J. Speight

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims
To investigate the contribution of general and diabetes-specific emotional wellbeing and beliefs about medicines in the prediction of insulin therapy appraisals in adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.
Methods
The sample included Diabetes MILES–Australia cross-sectional survey participants whose primary diabetes treatment was oral hypoglycaemic agents (N = 313; 49% women; mean ± SD age: 57 ± 9 years; diabetes duration: 7 ± 6 years). They completed validated measures of beliefs about the ‘harm’ and ‘overuse’ of medications in general (BMQ General); ‘concerns’ about and ‘necessity’ of current diabetes medications (BMQ Specific); negative insulin therapy appraisals (ITAS); depression (PHQ-9); anxiety (GAD-7), and diabetes distress (DDS-17). Factors associated with ITAS Negative scores were examined using hierarchical multiple regressions.
Results
Twenty-two percent of the variance in ITAS Negative scores (52 ± 10), was explained by: number of complications (β = −.15, p = .005), DDS-17 subscale ‘emotional burden’ (β = .23, p < .001), and ‘concerns’ about current diabetes treatment (β = .29, p < .001). General beliefs about medications and general emotional wellbeing did not contribute significantly to the model.
Conclusions
Psychological insulin resistance may reflect broader distress about diabetes and concerns about its treatment but not general beliefs about medicines, depression or anxiety. Reducing diabetes distress and current treatment concerns may improve attitudes towards insulin as a potential therapeutic option.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75–82
JournalPrimary Care Diabetes
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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