Impact of Diabetic Complications and Glycemic Control on Diabetes Distress Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis
Keywords:
glycemic control, diabetic complications, diabetes distress, type 2 diabetes, adultsAbstract
Diabetes distress (DD) is a psychological condition frequently experienced by individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It arises from the emotional and behavioral burden of managing diabetes and can be influenced by various clinical factors. Among these, diabetic complications and poor glycemic control are considered important determinants that may increase the risk of DD. Understanding these associations is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve both mental health and clinical outcomes in patients with T2DM. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of diabetic complications and glycemic control on diabetes distress among adults with T2DM. This meta-analysis used the PICO framework: Population = adults with T2DM; Intervention = presence of diabetic complications and poor glycemic control; Comparison = no complications and good glycemic control; Outcome = diabetes distress. Articles were obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used included: “diabetes distress” OR “diabetic complications” OR “glycemic control” AND “type 2 diabetes mellitus” AND “cross-sectional”. Eligible studies were cross-sectional, published between 2013 and 2025, full-text, in English, and reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR). Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. Fifteen studies from Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Iran, Germany, Malaysia, USA, South Africa, Egypt, and Norway were included. Diabetic complications significantly increased the risk of diabetes distress (aOR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.77–2.58; p < 0.001). Poor glycemic control was also associated with higher odds of diabetes distress (aOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.13; p < 0.001). Diabetic complications and poor glycemic control significantly increase the risk of diabetes distress among adults with T2DM. These findings highlight the importance of integrated strategies to prevent complications and improve glycemic control.
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