Associated factors with depression and sleep quality in T1DM patients: a cross-sectional descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) may experience sleep problems, usually due to low blood sugar levels during sleep or performance of blood sugar management (e.g., blood sugar monitoring). This study aimed to identify the disease-related characteristics, psychosocial aspects, and related factors underlying sleep quality in patients with T1DM. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive research design. The participants were 159 individuals with T1DM who completed online questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The average score for depression in T1DM patients was 23.77 (SD 5.31), and sleep quality received a score of 4.58 (SD 3.22). Depression was positively correlated with sleep quality and negatively correlated with the total resilience score. The factors linked to depression in T1DM patients were duration of disease, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbance, and resilience-acceptance of self and life sub-factors, with an explanatory power of 44.4% for the depression variance. The associated factors with sleep quality in T1DM patients were complications, resilience-personal competence sub-factors, and depression, with an explanatory power of 37.4% for sleep quality variance. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that to improve sleep quality in patients with T1DM, it is necessary to develop and support disease management to prevent complications and implement interventions for improving resilience and reducing negative emotions such as depression.