Stigma in People With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Diabetes stigma is a significant psychosocial burden affecting many individuals with diabetes.
• Understanding the prevalence and impact of diabetes stigma is crucial for developing effective support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively measure diabetes stigma and its psychosocial impact in a large U.S. patient population.
• To identify specific diabetes types and treatment regimens associated with higher reported stigma.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 12,000 individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the United States.
• Data collected included self-reported experiences of stigma, diabetes type, treatment regimen, BMI, A1C, and blood glucose control.

Main Results:

• A majority of respondents reported experiencing diabetes stigma: 76% with type 1 diabetes and 52% with type 2 diabetes.
• Stigma perceptions were higher in type 1 diabetes patients, especially parents of children with type 1 diabetes (83%), compared to type 2 diabetes patients not using insulin (49%).
• Individuals with higher BMI, higher A1C, and poorer self-reported blood glucose control reported disproportionately higher levels of stigma.

Conclusions:

• A high percentage of people with diabetes experience stigma, with type 1 diabetes and intensive insulin therapy users being particularly vulnerable.
• Diabetes stigma is closely linked to poorer health indicators, suggesting that those most in need of support are most affected.
• Further research and interventions are needed to address the pervasive issue of diabetes stigma and its psychosocial consequences.