To investigate associations between diabetes distress and productivity, and to identify the potential risk factors that could affect these particular associations.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in three outpatient healthcare institutions. Patients aged ≥21 years with uncontrolled T2DM and polypharmacy were included. The Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) measuring diabetes distress and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment General Health (WPAI-GH) measuring productivity were administered by trained interviewers.
A total of 259 patients were analysed. Point prevalence of clinically severe diabetes distress, work productivity loss and life productivity loss were 7.7%, 45.0% and 35.1% respectively. Diabetes distress was positively associated with work productivity loss (p = 0.001) and life productivity loss (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes distress (p = 0.003), the total number of chronic medications (p = 0.012), insulin therapy (p = 0.027) and the presence of chronic kidney disease (p = 0.038) were significantly associated with work impairment. Diabetes distress (p = 0.001) and the presences of osteoarthritis (p = 0.039) were significantly associated with activity impairment.
Healthcare professionals should screen patients for diabetes distress to prevent productivity losses, especially in patients with polypharmacy and/or on insulin and with coexisting osteoarthritis or chronic kidney disease.