Factors associated with loneliness in patients with diabetes mellitus

Aim To (a) explore the prevalence of loneliness in patients with diabetes mellitus and (b) identify loneliness-related factors in the group of hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus. Design A cross-sectional study. Methods The study included 248 patients with diabetes mellitus who were staying in six Polish hospitals. A questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical data, and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), was used for research data collection. Data were collected from March 2019 to June 2019. Results Patients with diabetes generally experience moderate loneliness, with almost one-fifth (16%) of patients experiencing intense loneliness. The patients scored a mean 9.94 out of a possible 20 in belongings and affiliation category and 20.14 out of a possible 40 in the intimate others category. Lower education, being single and the presence of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus were risk factors for increased loneliness.

Automated summary

Patients with diabetes generally experience moderate loneliness, with almost one-fifth (16%) of patients experiencing intense loneliness. Risk factors for increased loneliness include lower education, being single, and the presence of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus.