What are the psychosocial problem areas, needs and resources in people with coexisting type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia? Results of a survey study

Introduction People with schizophrenia have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than the background population due to adverse effects from antipsychotics, lifestyle, and genetics. Objectives This study aims to explore the illness and treatment burden, mental well-being, and received support for illness management among people with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Methods 62 Danish adults recruited from psychiatric outpatient clinics participated in this cross-sectional study using a survey developed for this specific purpose. The survey included measures of burden of illness and treatment (daily impact of diabetes and schizophrenia, multimorbidity treatment burden, diabetes empowerment), mental well-being (general well-being and diabetes distress), and social relations and support (general and illness-specific support). Descriptive analyses of survey data were conducted. Results Participants reported very negative daily impact from living with schizophrenia. However, diabetes also negatively impacted physical health, emotional well-being, and feelings about their future. 55% reported high treatment burden, 74% reported low/moderate diabetes empowerment. Approximately 30% had high levels of diabetes distress and 49% reported low general well-being. Half of the participants reported needing support for managing type 2 diabetes equal to schizophrenia. Conclusions Living with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes often involves high burden of illness and treatment, low diabetes empowerment, high levels of diabetes distress and low general well-being. This study highlights a need for engaging mental health professionals, care coordinators, family and friends in daily diabetes management in future interventional studies and clinical practice. Disclosure of Interest None Declared