Diabetes Stigma and Clinical Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between diabetes stigma and HbA1c, treatment plan and acute and chronic complications in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study is a multicenter cohort study that collected questionnaire, laboratory, and physical examination data about AYAs with diabetes diagnosed in childhood. A five-question survey assessed frequency of perceived diabetes-related stigma, generating a total diabetes stigma score. We used multivariable linear modeling, stratified by diabetes type, to examine the association of diabetes stigma with clinical factors, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, clinic site, diabetes duration, health insurance, treatment plan, and HbA(1c). RESULTS Of 1,608 respondents, 78% had type 1 diabetes, 56% were female, and 48% were non-Hispanic White. The mean (SD) age at study visit was 21.7 (5.1) years (range, 10-24.9). The mean (SD) HbA(1c) was 9.2% (2.3%; 77 mmol/mol [2.0 mmol/mol]). Higher diabetes stigma scores were associated with female sex and higher HbA1c (P < 0.01) for all participants. No significant association between diabetes stigma score and technology use was observed. In participants with type 2 diabetes, higher diabetes stigma scores were associated with insulin use (P = 0.04). Independent of HbA(1c), higher diabetes stigma scores were associated with some acute complications for AYAs with type 1 diabetes and some chronic complications for AYAs with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes stigma in AYAs is associated with worse diabetes outcomes and is important to address when providing comprehensive diabetes care.

Automated summary

This study examined the association between diabetes stigma and HbA1c, treatment plan, and acute and chronic complications in adolescents and young adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The results showed that diabetes stigma was associated with clinical factors and had an impact on acute and chronic complications in these patients. Therefore, addressing diabetes stigma is important in providing comprehensive diabetes care.