Assessing Diabetes Distress and Sleep Quality in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Using FreeStyle Libre: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction The burden of diabetes, its potential complications, and related self-care activities can induce negative psychosocial effects in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This prospective cohort study investigated the psychosocial benefits associated with 3 months of FreeStyle Libre (FSL) flash glucose monitoring use in young adults with T1DM in Saudi Arabia. Methods Patients completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires at baseline and 3 months. HbA1c, number of confirmed hypoglycemia episodes per month, and frequency of blood glucose testing were also collected at baseline and 3 months. Results Of 95 patients analyzed, significant reductions were observed in mean DDS (3.8 vs. 2.5; p < 0.001) and PSQI (8.7 vs. 3.9; p < 0.001) scores from baseline to 3 months. Furthermore, HbA1c and confirmed hypoglycemia episodes per month also decreased from baseline to 3 months (HbA1c 8.3 vs. 7.7% [67 vs. 61 mmol/mol], p < 0.001; hypoglycemia episodes 3.0 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001). In contrast, mean frequency of blood glucose testing per day increased from baseline to 3 months (2.5 vs. 5.2; p < 0.001). Conclusion These data demonstrate improvements in diabetes distress and sleep quality as well as glycemic outcomes following 3 months' FSL use in young adults with T1DM.