Diabetes treatment satisfaction among a multi-ethnic Aotearoa New Zealand population with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To assess whether diabetes treatment satisfaction differs by ethnicity among participants with insufficient glycaemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a clinical trial involving additional oral diabetes medications. Patient satisfaction is used as an indicator of healthcare quality. However, data on patients' diabetes treatment satisfaction in the context of insufficient glycaemic control is limited. METHODS: Individuals with type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c of 58-110mmol/mol (7.5-12.5%) were recruited across Aotearoa New Zealand to participate in an 8-month randomised crossover study of vildagliptin and pioglitazone as add-on therapy to metformin and/or sulfonylurea. Participants completed the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) at baseline pre-randomisation. Treatment satisfaction scores were compared between ethnic groups and other characteristics using the analysis of variance and linear regression. Perceived hyper- and hypoglycaemia were summarised separately. RESULTS: Between February 2019 and March 2020, 346 participants (41% women, 32% Pacific peoples, 23% Maori, 26% European) completed the DTSQ. Mean (SD) age was 57.5 (10.9) years, diabetes duration was 9 (6.3) years and HbA1c was 75 (12)mmol/mol (9.0[3.2]%). At study entry, 40% were receiving monotherapy for diabetes. Treatment satisfaction was rated highly, with a score of 29(6) (interquartile range 25-33). Pacific peoples and older people reported greater treatment satisfaction than other groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes treatment satisfaction was high, particularly among Pacific peoples, despite suboptimal glycaemic control and insufficient glucose-lowering therapy.

Establishing a database of patients with diabetes and an interest in research participation.

AIMS: To establish interest in medical research and student training, based on demographics of those attending public-funded diabetes services and types of research. METHOD: Patients who attended the Auckland Diabetes Centre (ADC) between July 2018 and July 2019 were invited via text message (SMS) to register their interest in being contacted for future health research projects and medical training. Consenting adults were enrolled in the Auckland Diabetes Centre Volunteer Database (ADCVD) and sent a survey on the acceptability of various types of research and factors influencing participation. Relationships between ADCVD enrolment and other variables were determined using Fisher's exact test. Qualitative data were coded to generate key themes using an inductive approach. RESULTS: Of 2,884 patients contacted, 527 were enrolled in the ADCVD (response rate: 18.3%); and of these, 176 completed surveys (response rate: 33.3%). Most respondents were NZ European (n=92, 52.3%), male (n=125, 70.6%), and from the least deprived areas (n=35, 19.9%). The type of research did not affect interest. Motivations to participate centred around a hope to improve their own diabetes and that of future generations. CONCLUSIONS: SMS-based recruitment from a diabetes clinic results in modest interest in participation in teaching and research from predominantly those of NZ European ethnicity and living in areas of least socio-economic deprivation.