Sweet dreams or bitter nightmare: a narrative review of 25 years of research on the role of sleep in diabetes and the contributions of behavioural science.

The aim of this review was to provide an overview of developments, clinical implications and gaps in knowledge regarding the relationship between diabetes and sleep over the past 25 years, with special focus on contributions from the behavioural sciences. Multiple prospective observational and experimental studies have shown a link between suboptimal sleep and impaired glucose tolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity and the development of type 2 diabetes. While prevalence rates of suboptimal sleep vary widely according to definition, assessment and sample, suboptimal subjective sleep quality appears to be a common reality for one-third of people with type 1 diabetes and over half of people with type 2 diabetes. Both physiological and psychosocial factors may impair sleep in these groups. In turn, suboptimal sleep can negatively affect glycaemic outcomes directly or indirectly via suboptimal daytime functioning (energy, mood, cognition) and self-care behaviours. Technological devices supporting diabetes self-care may have both negative and positive effects. Diabetes and its treatment also affect the sleep of significant others. Research on the merits of interventions aimed at improving sleep for people with diabetes is in its infancy. Diabetes and sleep appear to be reciprocally related. Discussion of sleep deserves a central place in regular diabetes care. Multi-day, multi-method studies may shed more light on the complex relationship between sleep and diabetes at an individual level. Intervention studies are warranted to examine the potential of sleep interventions in improving outcomes for people with diabetes.

Longitudinal associations between depression and diabetes complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies assessing the bi-directional association between depression and diabetes macrovascular and microvascular complications. Embase, Medline and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception through 27 November 2017. A total of 4592 abstracts were screened for eligibility. Meta-analyses used multilevel random/mixed-effects models. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Twenty-two studies were included in the systematic review. Sixteen studies examined the relationship between baseline depression and incident diabetes complications, of which nine studies involving over one million participants were suitable for meta-analysis. Depression was associated with an increased risk of incident macrovascular (HR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.30-1.47) and microvascular disease (HR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.25-1.41). Six studies examined the association between baseline diabetes complications and subsequent depression, of which two studies involving over 230 000 participants were suitable for meta-analysis. The results showed that diabetes complications increased the risk of incident depressive disorder (HR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.07-1.21). The quality analysis showed increased risk of bias notably in the representativeness of selected cohorts and ascertainment of exposure and outcome. Depression in people with diabetes is associated with an increased risk of incident macrovascular and microvascular complications. The relationship between depression and diabetes complications appears bi-directional. However, the risk of developing diabetes complications in depressed people is higher than the risk of developing depression in people with diabetes complications. The underlying mechanisms warrant further research.

Mindfulness and fear of hypoglycaemia in parents of children with Type 1 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES Youth - The Netherlands.

AIMS: To identify the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of fear of hypoglycaemia among parents of children (aged 4-18 years) with Type 1 diabetes and to examine the relationships between parental fear of hypoglycaemia, mindfulness and mindful parenting. METHODS: Sociodemographic, self-reported clinical and psychological data were extracted from the cross-sectional Diabetes MILES Youth - The Netherlands dataset. Questionnaires included the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey - Parent Worry (parental fear of hypoglycaemia), the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory - Short version (mindfulness) and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale (mindful parenting). RESULTS: A total of 421 parents (359 mothers) participated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that greater parental fear of hypoglycaemia was related to younger parental age, low educational level, non-Dutch nationality, more frequent blood glucose monitoring, and less general mindfulness. Adding mindful parenting to the model negated the previous contribution of general mindfulness. In this model, lower mindful parenting was related to greater parental fear of hypoglycaemia. In particular, parents with an increased ability to be less judgemental of themselves as parents and less reactive to emotions within parenting interactions reported less fear of hypoglycaemia. In total, 21% of the variance in parental fear of hypoglycaemia was explained. CONCLUSION: Parental fear of hypoglycaemia was associated largely with parental characteristics, including non-modifiable sociodemographics (i.e. age, education, nationality) and modifiable psychological factors (i.e. mindful parenting). These findings suggest that it is important to further explore mindfulness-based interventions for parents to reduce fear of hypoglycaemia next to interventions to reduce hypoglycaemia.

Anxiety, depression and timing of insulin treatment among people with type 2 diabetes: Nine-year follow-up of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Norway.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety have been found to be predictors of poor health outcomes in diabetes, but mechanisms are still unclear. AIMS: To examine whether symptoms of anxiety and depression were associated with timing of initiating insulin therapy. METHODS: A cohort study of insulin-naive particpants with type 2 dabetes completed the Hospital Anxiey and Depression Scale, HADS-A (n = 731) and/or the HADS-D (n = 768) in the communy-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (1995-1997). Information on insulin initiation was retrieved from the Norwegian Prescription Database from January 1, 2004 to November 21, 2012. Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the association between symptoms of anxiety, depression and time to insulin initiation. RESULTS: At baseline, 19% reported anxiety symptoms (score≥8) and 18% depressive symptoms (score≥8). After a mean follow-up of 4.4 (SD 3.6) years, 337 (40%) participants had started insulin therapy. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical variables, anxiety symptoms were associated with later initiation of insulin therapy (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49-0.99), while depressive symptoms were not. Considering groups simultaneously, having both elevated depressive and elevated anxiety symptoms was associated with later time to insulin initiation (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99), while having only anxiety symptoms (without depressive) HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.50-1.32) or only depressive symptoms (without anxiety) (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.68-1.72) were not. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety was associated with a later initiation of insulin, while depressive symptoms were not. Persons with both elevated levels of anxiety and depression were also less likely to start insulin therapy. These results need further testing in other prospective studies.

Effectiveness of a stepped care intervention for anxiety and depression in people with diabetes, asthma or COPD in primary care: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are common in people with a chronic somatic disease. Although guidelines recommend stepped care, the effectiveness of this approach has not been evaluated in people with diabetes, asthma, or COPD in primary care. METHODS: 3559 People were sent screening questionnaires (41% response). Of 286 persons with anxiety and/or depression (Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire, GAD-7, cut-off ≥ 8 and/or Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9, cut-off ≥ 7), 46 were randomized into the intervention (stepped care and monitoring of symptoms; n = 23) or control (usual care) group (n = 23). Main outcomes were symptoms of anxiety and depression after the 12-months intervention and six months post intervention. Analysis of covariance was first adjusted for condition and baseline GAD-7/PHQ-9 scores and additionally for age, sex and education. RESULTS: The intervention group had a significantly lower level of anxiety symptoms at the end of the program (GAD-7 6 ± 6 vs. 9 ± 6; Cohen's d = 0.61). This effect was still present six months post intervention. The effect on depression was statistically significant in the first model (PHQ-9 6 ± 4 vs. 9 ± 6; p = 0.035), but not in the fully adjusted model (p = 0.099), despite a large effect size (d = 0.63). At six months post intervention there was no statistically significant difference in symptoms of depression between the two groups although the difference in symptoms was still clinically significant (Cohen's d = 0.61). LIMITATIONS: Many people were screened, but relatively few participated in the randomized controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS: Stepped care with monitoring resulted in a lower level of symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with a chronic condition.

Fear of hypoglycaemia in adults with Type 1 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES - The Netherlands.

AIMS: To examine sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors associated with fear of hypoglycaemia in adults with Type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Data were obtained from Diabetes MILES - The Netherlands, an online self-report national survey. This cross-sectional analysis focused on participants with Type 1 diabetes who completed the 18-item Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey - Second Version Worry subscale (HFS-II-W; possible total score range 0-72, higher scores indicating higher fear) (n = 288). To explore correlates of fear of hypoglycaemia, a hierarchical linear regression analysis was performed in participants with full data on sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors (n = 232; younger and more highly educated than those excluded). RESULTS: HFS-II-W mean score was 11.1 ± 11.1. Gender, age, education and having a partner (model 1) were not associated with fear of hypoglycaemia. In model 2, history of severe hypoglycaemia (irrespective of number of events) was associated with (greater) fear of hypoglycaemia, whereas diabetes duration, pump therapy and HbA1c were not. Type D personality was positively correlated (model 3), as were symptoms of depression, but not anxiety (model 4). Adding loneliness (model 5) did not improve the model. The fully adjusted analysis showed that fear of hypoglycaemia was associated with depressive symptoms (ß = 0.38, P < 0.001) and history of hypoglycaemia (1-2 events: ß = 0.30, P < 0.001; ≥ 3 events: ß = 0.19, P = 0.002). Total explained variance was 23%. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms and history of hypoglycaemia are associated with fear of hypoglycaemia in adults with Type 1 diabetes. These factors may help to identify people with excessive fear, who may particularly benefit from interventions to reduce hypoglycaemia risk and worries.

Type D personality, suboptimal health behaviors and emotional distress in adults with diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES-The Netherlands.

AIMS: Type D personality - defined as high negative affectivity (NA) and high social inhibition (SI) - has been associated with adverse cardiovascular prognosis. We explored the differential associations of Type D personality and its constituent components with health behaviors, emotional distress and standard biomedical risk factors as potential risk mechanisms in adults with diabetes. METHODS: 3314 Dutch adults with self-reported type 1 or 2 diabetes completed an online survey, including the DS14 Type D Scale. AN(C)OVAs and X(2) tests were used to compare participants scoring (i) low on NA and SI; (ii) high on SI only; (iii) high on NA only; (iv) high on NA and SI (Type D). RESULTS: Participants with Type D personality (29%) were less likely to follow a healthy diet or to consult healthcare professionals in case of problems with diabetes management than those scoring high on neither or only one component. They also reported more barriers surrounding medication use, diabetes-specific social anxiety, loneliness and symptoms of depression and anxiety. There were no differences in standard biomedical risk factors (body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c). After adjustment for demographics, clinical characteristics, NA, and SI in multivariable logistic regression analyses, Type D personality was independently associated with 2 to 3-fold increased odds of suboptimal health behaviors and over 15-fold increased odds of general emotional distress. CONCLUSIONS: Type D personality was not related to standard biomedical risk factors, but was associated with unhealthy behaviors and negative emotions that are likely to have adverse impact on adults with diabetes.

Depression, anxiety and self-care behaviours of young adults with Type 2 diabetes: results from the International Diabetes Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success (MILES) Study.

AIM: Young adults with Type 2 diabetes have higher physical morbidity and mortality than other diabetes sub-groups, but differences in psychosocial outcomes have not yet been investigated. We sought to compare depression and anxiety symptoms and self-care behaviours of young adults with Type 2 diabetes with two matched control groups. METHODS: Using cross-sectional survey data from the Australian and Dutch Diabetes Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success (MILES) studies, we matched 93 young adults (aged 18-39 years) with Type 2 diabetes (case group) with: (i) 93 older adults ( ≥ 40 years) with Type 2 diabetes (Type 2 diabetes control group; matched on country, gender, education, diabetes duration and insulin use) and (ii) 93 young adults with Type 1 diabetes (Type 1 diabetes control group; matched on country, gender, age and education). Groups were compared with regard to depression symptoms (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire), anxiety symptoms (seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire) and frequency of selected self-care behaviours (single item per behaviour). RESULTS: Participants in the case group had higher depression scores (Cohen's d = 0.40) and were more likely to have clinically meaningful depressive symptoms (Cramer's V = 0.23) than those in the Type 2 diabetes control group. Participants in the case group had statistically equivalent depression scores to the Type 1 diabetes control group. The groups did not differ in anxiety scores. Those in the case group were less likely than both control groups to take insulin as recommended (Cramer's V = 0.24-0.34), but there were no significant differences between the groups in oral medication-taking. The case group were less likely than the Type 2 diabetes control group to eat healthily (Cramer's V = 0.16), and less likely than the Type 1 diabetes control group to be physically active (Cramer's V = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Type 2 diabetes is as challenging as Type 1 diabetes for young adults and more so than for older adults. Young adults with Type 2 diabetes may require more intensive psychological and self-care support than their older counterparts.

Diabetes-specific emotional distress in people with Type 2 diabetes: a comparison between primary and secondary care.

AIMS: To compare levels of diabetes distress in people with Type 2 diabetes treated in primary and secondary care and to examine demographic and clinical correlates that may explain potential differences in levels of distress between care settings. METHODS: People with Type 2 diabetes from 24 primary care practices (n = 774) and three secondary care clinics (n = 526) completed the Problem Areas In Diabetes questionnaire. Data on HbA1c levels and diabetes complications were derived from medical charts. Hierarchical ordinal regression analysis was used to investigate which correlates could explain the potential differences in level of diabetes distress between care settings. RESULTS: Diabetes distress levels and the prevalence of elevated diabetes distress were considerably lower in the participants treated in primary care (mean (SD) total diabetes distress score 8 (11); 4% of participants with a Problem Areas In Diabetes score ≥ 40) than in secondary care (mean (SD) total diabetes distress score 23 (21); 19% of participants with a Problem Areas In Diabetes score ≥ 40, P < 0.001). In addition to care setting, the following variables were also independently related to diabetes distress: younger age, ethnic minority status, using insulin, having a higher HbA1c level, having a higher BMI and the presence of neuropathy. Other diabetes complications were not independently associated with diabetes distress. CONCLUSIONS: In primary care, lower levels of diabetes distress were reported than in secondary care. The difference in diabetes distress between care settings can be largely, but not fully, explained by specific demographic and clinical characteristics. These results need to be interpreted with caution as they are based on two separate studies, but do call into question the need to screen for diabetes distress in people with Type 2 diabetes in primary care.

Suboptimal glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a key role for anhedonia?

Recent studies examining the relationship between depression and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes have yielded mixed findings. One explanation may lie in the heterogeneity of depression. Therefore, we examined whether distinct features of depression were differentially associated with suboptimal glycemic control. Cross-sectional baseline data from a dynamic cohort study of primary care patients with type 2 diabetes from the Eindhoven region, The Netherlands, were analyzed. A total of 5772 individuals completed baseline measurements of demographic, clinical, lifestyle and psychological factors between 2005 and 2009. The Edinburgh Depression Scale was used to assess symptoms of depressed mood, anhedonia and anxiety. Suboptimal glycemic control was defined as HbA(1c) values ≥7%, with 29.8% of the sample (n=1718) scoring above this cut-off. In univariate logistic regression analyses, anhedonia was significantly associated with suboptimal glycemic control (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.09-1.52), while both depressed mood (OR 1.04, 0.88-1.22) and anxiety (OR 0.99, 0.83-1.19) were not. The association between anhedonia and glycemic control remained after adjustment for the other depression measures (OR 1.33, 1.11-1.59). Alcohol consumption and physical activity met criteria for mediation, but did not attenuate the association between anhedonia and glycemic control by more than 5%. Although diabetes duration was identified as a confounder and controlled for, the association was still significant (OR 1.20, 1.01-1.43). Studying different symptoms of depression, in particular anhedonia, may add to a better understanding of the relationship between depression and glycemic control.

The course of depressive symptoms in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes: results from the Diabetes, Depression, Type D Personality Zuidoost-Brabant (DiaDDZoB) Study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to examine the course (incidence, recurrence/persistence) of depressive symptoms in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes and to identify significant predictors of these different course patterns. METHODS: A cohort of 2,460 primary care patients with type 2 diabetes was assessed for demographic, clinical and psychological factors in 2005 and followed-up in 2007 and 2008. Depression was defined as a score of ≥ 12 on the Edinburgh Depression Scale. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether several depression-course patterns could be predicted by means of demographics, medical co-morbidities and psychological factors. RESULTS: A total of 630 patients (26%) met the criterion for depression at one or more assessments. In the subgroup with no baseline depression, incident depression at follow-up was present in 14% (n = 310), while recurrence/persistence in those with baseline depression was found in 66% (n = 212).The presence of any depression was associated with being female, low education, non-cardiovascular chronic diseases, stressful life events and a self-reported history of depression. Incident depression was predicted by female sex, low education and depression history, while patients with a history of depression had a 2.5-fold increased odds of recurrent/persistent depression. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Depression is common in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes, with one in seven patients reporting incident depression during a 2.5 year period. Once present, depression often becomes a chronic/recurrent condition in this group. In order to identify patients who are vulnerable to depression, clinicians can use questionnaire data and/or information about the history of depression.