Prevalence of Diabetes Distress Among Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at increased risk for diabetes distress. This cross-sectional study used the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) to determine diabetes distress among adolescents with T1DM in a pediatric endocrinology clinic. Sixty-one percent of respondents reported moderate to significant diabetes distress levels, with overall diabetes distress of M = 2.409 (SD = 0.853). Emotional burden subcategory had the highest distress (M = 3.214, SD = 1.449). Minimal distress levels were reported in the physician burden subcategory (M = 1.133, SD = 0.276). Results support the need for routine diabetes distress screening. •Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) reported moderate to significant diabetes distress.•Adolescents with T1DM have increased emotional burden related to diabetes management.•Adolescents with T1DM are at increased risk for long-term complications and worsening health outcomes.•Adolescent females with T1DM reported increased difficulty with interpersonal relationships.•An online diabetes distress scale may be an effective tool for identifying diabetes distress among adolescents with T1DM.