Low sleep quality in young people with T1D (PWDs) is not only associated with suboptimal glycemic outcomes, lower diabetes self-management and subsequent diabetes-related complications, but also with higher depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress. However, not much is known yet about the temporal ordering of these associations. This study, co-authored by Giesje Nefs of Diabeter, aimed to asses if and in what order sleep is associated with depressive symptoms, diabetes distress and diabetes self-efficacy in adolescents and young adults with T1D.

This study used data from a longitudinal randomised trial aimed at improving self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) among youths with T1D, using monetary rewards. PWDs were only included if they were 12-21 years old, had a T1D duration >1 year, a yearly average and most recent HbA1c >7.5%, a daily average of <4 finger pricks, had equipment for glucose data uploading and text messaging, and had a basic understanding of diabetes management. Sleep, diabetes distress, depressive symptoms and diabetes management self-efficacy were assessed using validated questionnaires.

Key findings:

• Lower sleep quality was associated with higher depressive symptoms an lower diabetes self-efficacy, but not vice versa
• Sleep quality was not associated with HbA1c
• Participants in the intervention group (i.e. receiving monetary reward for more frequent SMBG and uploading of glucose values) showed higher diabetes self-efficacy and lower depressive symptoms compared with the control group

Concluding, the authors state

Please click here to go to the journal.