The well-being and support needs of Australian adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: First results from Diabetes MILES – Australia — ASN Events
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The well-being and support needs of Australian adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: First results from Diabetes MILES – Australia (#23)

Jane Speight 1 2 3 , Jessica L Browne 1 2 , Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott 1 2 , Christel Hendrieckx 1 2 , Frans Pouwer 4
  1. The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, Diabetes Australia - Vic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. Centre for Mental Health and Well-being Research, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
  3. AHP Research, Hornchurch, Essex, UK
  4. Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic diseases (CoRPS), Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

AIMS: The aim of Diabetes MILES – Australia was to provide the first large-scale national survey focusing on the psychosocial impact of diabetes.

METHODS: The survey was designed to include validated scales and study-specific items suitable for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1DM/T2DM). It was posted to 15,000 National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) registrants and made available online. In total, 3,338 respondents met eligibility criteria; 41% (n=1,362) had T1DM (61% women; mean±SD age 42±14 years), and 59% (n=1,941) had T2DM (49% women; age 59±9 years, 37% insulin-treated). The majority (70%; n=2,351) completed the postal survey. All states and territories of Australia were represented.

RESULTS: We present top-line results for three key areas: 1. Psychological wellbeing: clinically relevant depressive symptoms were experienced by 35% of respondents with insulin-treated T2DM; 23% non-insulin-treated T2DM; 22% with T1DM. Severe diabetes-related distress was experienced by 28% of respondents with T1DM; 22% insulin-treated T2DM; 17% non-insulin-treated T2DM. 2. Healthcare access: 49% of respondents had never been offered structured diabetes education and 51% reported that they had not received adequate information from healthcare professionals in the last three months. Other barriers to optimal healthcare included cost (for 51% respondents) and distance (for 19%). 3. Support: Respondents were generally satisfied with their familial social support. However, 45% indicated that they had not been asked what is important to them in their diabetes management by a healthcare professional recently; 6% were involved in a peer support group while 32% wanted to join one.

CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes MILES-Australia has highlighted impaired psychological well-being and unmet needs (educational and support) in a large, representative sample of Australian adults with T1DM or T2DM. In-depth analyses are ongoing, and study results will continue to reveal ways in which policy and practice can be improved to optimise diabetes care in Australia.