Background: Affect (i.e., emotions) can be associated with diabetes self-care and ambient glucose in teens with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We used momentary sampling to examine associations of daily affectwithblood glucose (BG) monitoring,BG levels,and BG variability in teens with T1D.
Method: Over 2 weeks, 32 teens reported positive and negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Scale) and BG levels on handheld computers 4x/day, coordinated with planned daily BG checks. BG values were classified as: in-range (70-180 mg/dL); low (<70 mg/dL); severe low (<54 mg/dL); high (>180 mg/dL); severe high (>250 mg/dL). Daily BG variability was derived from BG coefficient of variation (BGCV). To determine associations of positive and negative affect with BG checks, BG levels, and BGCV, separate generalized estimating equations were performed, adjusting for demographic and diabetes-related variables, for the overall sample and stratified by HbA1c (≤8%, >8%).
Results: Teens (44% male, ages 14-18, 63% pump-treated, HbA1c 8.8 ± 1.4%) reported 51% in-range, 6% low (2% severe low), and 44% high (19% severe high) BG. In teens with HbA1c ≤8%, positive affect was associated with in-range BG (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04-1.13, P = .0002), reduced odds of very low glucose (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.16-0.74, P = .006), and less daily BGCV (β = -0.9; 95% CI = -1.6, -0.2; P = .01). In teens with HbA1c >8%, negative affect was associated with less likelihood of checking BG (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64-0.87, P = .0003).
Conclusions: Our findings shed light on individual differences in metabolic reactivity based on glycemic levels and the importance of incorporating affect into automated insulin delivery systems.
Keywords: adolescence; affect; blood glucose; self-monitoring of blood glucose; type 1 diabetes.