Emotional Distress and Cardiovascular Health in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex chronic condition that places young adults aged 18-31 years at high risk for general and diabetes-related distress and poor cardiovascular health. Both general and diabetes distress are linked to higher A1C, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was to examine the associations between distress symptoms (general and diabetes) and cardiovascular health while considering covariates in young adults ages 18-31 years with T1D. One-hundred and sixty-five young adults with T1D, recruited from specialty clinics through two major health systems and online platforms, completed a demographic and clinical survey along with the 8-item PROMIS Emotional Distress Scale and 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale. Higher diabetes distress and higher general emotional distress were associated with lower cardiovascular health scores. Associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, T1D duration, sex at birth, race, and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. In young adults with type 1 diabetes, addressing both diabetes and general emotional distress may be important to improve cardiovascular health. However, longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy.