Relationship Between Diabetes, Stress, and Self-Management to Inform Chronic Disease Product Development: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Technology is rapidly advancing our understanding of how people with diabetes mellitus experience stress. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between stress and sequelae of diabetes mellitus within a unique data set composed of adults enrolled in a digital diabetes management program, Livongo, in order to inform intervention and product development. METHODS: Participants included 3263 adults under age 65 who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and had access to Livongo through their employer between June 2015 and August 2018. Data were collected at time of enrollment and 12 months thereafter, which included demographic information, glycemic control, presence of stress, diabetes distress, diabetes empowerment, behavioral health diagnosis, and utilization of behavioral health-related medication and services. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests compared variables across groups that were based on presence of stress and behavioral health diagnosis or utilization. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of participants (1808/3263) reported stress at the time of at least 1 blood glucose reading. Fifty-two percent of participants (940/1808) also received at least 1 behavioral health diagnosis or intervention. Compared to their peers, participants with stress reported greater diabetes distress, lower diabetes empowerment, greater insulin use, and poorer glycemic control. Participants with stress and a behavioral health diagnosis/utilization additionally had higher body mass index and duration of illness. CONCLUSIONS: Stress among people with diabetes mellitus is associated with reduced emotional and physical health. Digital products that focus on the whole person by offering both diabetes mellitus self-management tools and behavioral health skills and support can help improve disease-specific and psychosocial outcomes.