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Couples’ coping mechanisms for newly diagnosed diabetes varied among races
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SAN FRANCISCO — Researchers have observed significant differences in how couples of different races cope with having newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, according to data presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions.
“It has been demonstrated across many studies that a social support system contributes to patients’ ability and willingness to adhere to self-care behaviors,” Mary T. Korytkowski, MD, clinical diabetologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, said during a presentation here.
“The overall objectives of the Communal Health of Interacting Couples Study were to understand how partners help or hinder self-care in people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and compare coping mechanisms among blacks and whites,” she said.
Fifty couples (34 white; 16 black; 52% men; median age 55 years) were included in the study. In each couple, one person had a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, with a mean time since diagnosis of 1.3 years. The researchers conducted interviews to determine implications of race for couples with diabetes.
Data indicated that blacks with type 2 diabetes reported more depressive symptoms (P<.05), greater perceived stress (P<.01) and lower life satisfaction compared with whites (P<.001), according to Korytkowski.
Blacks also reported lower levels of adherence (especially men; P<.05) and poorer glycemic control (mean HbA1c: 7.9% for blacks vs. 6.35% for whites), according to data.
Moreover, depressive symptoms were related to poorer self-care behavior (P<.01) and poorer medication adherence (P<.05).
Blacks also reported lower levels of diabetes-related distress vs. whites based on their overall concern about their physicians’ treatment plan, and lower levels of concern about family and friends’ support with regard to their disease (P<.05 for all).
Although discussions about diabetes between spouses led to greater adherence among whites (P<.01), this led to poorer adherence among blacks (P=.08)
“These are the preliminary findings from the first phase of a three-part study with a total planned recruitment of 220 couples (50% black and 50% white). We have not yet investigated the gender of the partner without type 2 diabetes, nor have we looked at measures of comorbidities in the patient or partner,” Korytkowski said.
She concluded that higher levels of mental stress among black couples may be unrelated to diabetes. – by Samantha Costa
Disclosure: Korytkowski reports research support from Sanofi.
For more information: Korytkowski M. Abstract 232-OR. Presented at: American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions; June 13-17, 2014; San Francisco.