Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran

BACKGROUND: The psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are mainly focused on the general population, while pandemics do not impact the mental health of the entire population uniformly, especially vulnerable populations with underlying health conditions. This study aimed to investigate diabe...

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Main Authors: Mehri Doosti-Irani, Kobra Noorian, Leila Rafiee Vardanjani, Paulo Fanti, Evah W Odoi, Samereh Abdoli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2023;volume=12;issue=1;spage=210;epage=210;aulast=
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author Mehri Doosti-Irani
Kobra Noorian
Leila Rafiee Vardanjani
Paulo Fanti
Evah W Odoi
Samereh Abdoli
author_facet Mehri Doosti-Irani
Kobra Noorian
Leila Rafiee Vardanjani
Paulo Fanti
Evah W Odoi
Samereh Abdoli
author_sort Mehri Doosti-Irani
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: The psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are mainly focused on the general population, while pandemics do not impact the mental health of the entire population uniformly, especially vulnerable populations with underlying health conditions. This study aimed to investigate diabetes psychosocial comorbidities among Iranians with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 212 adults with T1D in different cities in Iran. Study participants completed an online survey in April–June 2020. The survey collected self-reported data on diabetes psychosocial comorbidities (i.e. diabetes burnout, diabetes distress, and depressive symptoms). Demographic and COVID-19 data before and during the pandemic were also collected. Responses were analyzed using ordinary least squares and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Around 17.5% reported being tested for COVID-19 virus, 8% were diagnosed positive, 10.8% were hospitalized, and 92.9% followed precaution recommendations during the pandemic. Participants had high levels of diabetes distress (57.1%), depressive symptoms (60.8%), and diabetes burnout (mean score = 3.1 out of 5). During the pandemic, trouble paying for the very basic needs was a consistent factor increasing the risk of diabetes distress, diabetes burnout, and depressive symptoms. Lack of access to diabetes care was only associated with diabetes burnout, while diabetes hospitalization/emergency department (ED) visit was associated with diabetes distress. Existing diabetes disparities before the pandemic were also associated with higher scores of diabetes psychosocial comorbidities [accessing diabetes supplies and medications (P < 0.0001) and places for physical exercise (P < 0.0333)]. CONCLUSION: The negative impact of the COVID-19-related changes on individuals with diabetes, as one of the most vulnerable populations, must be recognized alongside the physical, financial, and societal impact on all those affected. Psychological interventions should be implemented urgently in Iran, especially for those with such characteristics.
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spelling doaj.art-f6e2df446ba44cb0872116a0cbdabf1a2023-07-23T11:29:44ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312023-01-0112121021010.4103/jehp.jehp_892_22Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in IranMehri Doosti-IraniKobra NoorianLeila Rafiee VardanjaniPaulo FantiEvah W OdoiSamereh AbdoliBACKGROUND: The psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are mainly focused on the general population, while pandemics do not impact the mental health of the entire population uniformly, especially vulnerable populations with underlying health conditions. This study aimed to investigate diabetes psychosocial comorbidities among Iranians with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 212 adults with T1D in different cities in Iran. Study participants completed an online survey in April–June 2020. The survey collected self-reported data on diabetes psychosocial comorbidities (i.e. diabetes burnout, diabetes distress, and depressive symptoms). Demographic and COVID-19 data before and during the pandemic were also collected. Responses were analyzed using ordinary least squares and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Around 17.5% reported being tested for COVID-19 virus, 8% were diagnosed positive, 10.8% were hospitalized, and 92.9% followed precaution recommendations during the pandemic. Participants had high levels of diabetes distress (57.1%), depressive symptoms (60.8%), and diabetes burnout (mean score = 3.1 out of 5). During the pandemic, trouble paying for the very basic needs was a consistent factor increasing the risk of diabetes distress, diabetes burnout, and depressive symptoms. Lack of access to diabetes care was only associated with diabetes burnout, while diabetes hospitalization/emergency department (ED) visit was associated with diabetes distress. Existing diabetes disparities before the pandemic were also associated with higher scores of diabetes psychosocial comorbidities [accessing diabetes supplies and medications (P < 0.0001) and places for physical exercise (P < 0.0333)]. CONCLUSION: The negative impact of the COVID-19-related changes on individuals with diabetes, as one of the most vulnerable populations, must be recognized alongside the physical, financial, and societal impact on all those affected. Psychological interventions should be implemented urgently in Iran, especially for those with such characteristics.http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2023;volume=12;issue=1;spage=210;epage=210;aulast=burnoutcovid-19depressiondiabetes mellitusiran
spellingShingle Mehri Doosti-Irani
Kobra Noorian
Leila Rafiee Vardanjani
Paulo Fanti
Evah W Odoi
Samereh Abdoli
Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
burnout
covid-19
depression
diabetes mellitus
iran
title Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
title_full Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
title_fullStr Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
title_full_unstemmed Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
title_short Psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
title_sort psychosocial comorbidities of diabetes during the covid 19 pandemic in iran
topic burnout
covid-19
depression
diabetes mellitus
iran
url http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2023;volume=12;issue=1;spage=210;epage=210;aulast=
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AT leilarafieevardanjani psychosocialcomorbiditiesofdiabetesduringthecovid19pandemiciniran
AT paulofanti psychosocialcomorbiditiesofdiabetesduringthecovid19pandemiciniran
AT evahwodoi psychosocialcomorbiditiesofdiabetesduringthecovid19pandemiciniran
AT samerehabdoli psychosocialcomorbiditiesofdiabetesduringthecovid19pandemiciniran