Glucose variability and mood in people with type 1 diabetes using ecological momentary assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Mood fluctuations related to blood glucose excursions are a commonly reported source of diabetes-distress, but research is scarce. We aimed to assess the relationship between real-time glucose variability and mood in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using ecological momentary assessments. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, participants wore a masked continuous glucose monitor and received prompts on their smartphone 6 times a day to answer questions about their current mood (Profile Of Mood States (POMS)-SF (dimensions: Anxiety, Depressive symptoms, Anger, Fatigue, Vigor)) for 14 days. Mixed model analyses examined associations over time between daily Coefficient of Variation (CV) of blood glucose and mean and variability (CV) of POMS scores. Further, within-person differences in sleep and nocturnal hypoglycemia were explored. RESULTS: 18 people with T1D (10 female, mean age 44.3 years) participated. A total of 264 out of 367 days (70.2%) could be included in the analyses. No overall significant associations were found between CV of blood glucose and mean and CV of POMS scores, however, nocturnal hypoglycemia moderated the associations between CV of blood glucose and POMS scales (mean Fatigue Estimate 1.998, p < .006, mean Vigor Estimate -3.308, p < .001; CV Anger Estimate 0.731p = 0.02, CV Vigor Estimate -0.525, p = .006). CONCLUSION: We found no overall relationship between real-time glycemic variability and mood per day. Further research into within-person differences such as sleep and nocturnal hypoglycemia is warranted.

Feasibility and user experience of the unguided web-based self-help app 'MyDiaMate' aimed to prevent and reduce psychological distress and fatigue in adults with diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological distress and fatigue are common in persons with diabetes, adversely affecting quality of life and complicating diabetes self-management. Offering diabetes-specific self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpful for persons with diabetes and mild symptoms of psychological distress and fatigue. We are the first to test the feasibility and user experiences of a web-based self-help app called 'MyDiaMate' in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: MyDiaMate was developed in close collaboration with persons with diabetes and professionals, building on elements from existing (guided) diabetes-specific CBT interventions. The study was advertised, offering free access to the app for adults with diabetes for a period of three months. Feasibility and user experiences were tested in a non-randomized study with pre- and post- measurements and interviews in a small sample.. In addition usage of the app was studied using log-data.. RESULTS: In total N = 55 adults with diabetes signed up for the study. Mean age was M = 42.7 (SD = 15.6), mostly women (n = 39, 70.9%), higher educated (n = 36, 65.5%), and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (n = 37, 67.3%). About half reported current or a history of psychological complaints. All the participants completed baseline assessments, and n = 32 participants (58%) completed the follow-up questionnaire. Main reasons for participating in the study were: to preserve or improve mental fitness (40.6%), curiosity (25.0%) and wanting to contribute to research (34.4%). No major technical issues were encountered in accessing or using the app. The app was opened at least once by n = 51 participants, median use of the modules was 28 min (1-80) within a period of 1 to 92 days (median = 10). Almost all participants (n = 50, 98.0%) opened the basic module 'Diabetes in balance', of whom 32 (62.7%) completed this module. 'My mood' and 'My energy' were opened by n = 40 (78.4%) and n = 32 (62.7%) participants, respectively, and completed by n = 21 (52.5%) and n = 9 (28.1%) of the participants. Of all participants, 40.6% would recommend the app to others living with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the feasibility of MyDiaMate as a diabetes-specific self-guided app for adults wishing to preserve or improve their psychological health. While user experiences were overall positive, further tailoring the content to individual needs and preferences could enhance uptake, usage and appreciation. Future research should explore its effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial.

Glucose variability and mood in adults with diabetes: A systematic review.

Aims: To systematically review the literature regarding the association between glucose variability (GV) and mood in adults with diabetes, appraise the used methods and make suggestions for future research. Methods: A systematic review of literature published up to May 2019 was performed. Abstracts and full texts were screened independently in duplicate. Experimental and observational studies reporting the association between GV and mood in adults with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes were evaluated. A descriptive analysis of the extracted data was conducted, along with a quality assessment. Results: Out of the 2.316 studies screened, eight studies met our criteria. Studies used a variety of measures and metrics to determine GV and mood. Four studies used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). An association between GV and mood was found in four studies when correlating either postprandial glucose rate of increase with current mood or multiday GV with mood measured retrospectively. The other four studies did not find any association. Conclusions: There is no clear empirical support for a link between GV and mood in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. More rigorous research is warranted using CGM and ecological momentary assessment of mood to assess if and under what conditions an association between GV and mood exists.