Abstract 54: Utility and improvements in Diabetes Distress Scores (DDS) in people with diabetes (PwD) on digital lifestyle care program

Background: Diabetes Distress scale (DDS) is a self-reported questionnaire. It has 4 subscales (emotional burden, regimen distress, physician distress and interpersonal distress). DDS expresses the overall distress score of the PwD. A total score of >2.0 is considered clinically significant. Aim: We looked at utility of the DDS in PwD enrolled on a lifestyle care program, complimented by an emotional wellness trained psychological counsellor. We also evaluated a change in the DDS after 3 months of program. Methods: 104 patients who were enrolled ona 12-week virtual lifestyle care program of OneCare, were recruited for the study. Their demographic data and baselineglycaemic parameters were collected. DDS were administered at the beginning of the program and at the end of 3-month. Follow up glycaemic parameters were also documented for the study. Results: Participants were on an average 44 (13.3) years. Mean duration of diabetes were 1.5 years and mean HbA1c of 9.2 (2.1) %. Mean DDS at the baseline were 1.9 (0.6) i.e., little distress. Participants were grouped based on the level of distress. 58% of the patient reported having no distress (<2.0), while 37% suffered from moderate distress (2.0-2.9). 5% patients were found to have high diabetes distress. There was a statistically significant improvement in total DDS score (d = 0.6) along with the emotional burden (d = 0.9) and regimen distress (d = 0.9) subscales of the DDS (p < 0.001) after the intervention. The mean reduction in overall DDS score was 0.49. Post diabeteslifestyle care program, 85% of the patient had no distress, 10%expressed having moderate distress respectively. Difference in the proportion of the patients in three categories of distress pre- and post-intervention were found to be statistically significant (p < .001). Post intervention HbA1c also significantly declined to 6.7 (1.0) % (p < .001). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate the utility of DDS instrument as one of the important outcomes in assessing diabetes management and scope of providing better psychological care. Positive increments seen through the lifestyle care program seems to be promising way to address the often-neglected part of Diabetes management.