Association of perceived diabetes stigma with time below range <3.0 mmol/L and anxiety in adults with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring
Authors' conclusion
In adults with type 1 diabetes using CGM, perceived stigma was significantly correlated with more time spent in hypoglycaemia and greater anxiety. Further studies are needed to identify causal relationships between stigma and clinically significant hypoglycaemia in people with type 1 diabetes.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with T1D using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM); 30-day CGM data with ≥70% sensor wear
- Participants
- 104 adults
- Outcome
- DSAS-1 total score and CGM-derived hypoglycaemia (TBR <3.0 mmol/L)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Higher Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-1) total score independently associated with increased TBR <3.0 mmol/L: adjusted β per point
0.011
95% CI 0.0018,0.0202p = 0.019
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Stigma and anxiety (GAD-7)
- Elevated stigma associated with anxiety: adjusted OR
- 1.086 (95% CI 1.035,1.152; p = 0.002)
- No significant link of stigma to depression
DSAS-1 item-level analyses
- Items on differential treatment (15, 19) and blame/judgement (11, 14, 17) significantly associated with clinically significant hypoglycaemia
Subgroups
- Associations consistent across subgroups, especially with longer diabetes duration and higher CGM glucose CV
Original publication
Association of perceived diabetes stigma with time below range <3.0 mmol/L and anxiety in adults with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring. Diabet Med. Published 18 January 2026. doi:10.
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