Most Type 1 diabetes patients feel lives are restricted due to their condition, survey finds
More than half of adults who have Type 1 diabetes feel restricted by their condition. A recent poll found most people with the disease feel as though they cannot be spontaneous due to their condition limiting them.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition where the body cannot produce insulin properly, and this can affect the life decisions of a third of people diagnosed with the condition. In 2023, NHS Scotland found that there were 36,249 people across the country with T1D, making up 10.3 per cent of all Scots who have diabetes.
As blood sugar highs and lows are hard to predict, many people with the condition feel they cannot be spontaneous. A survey by Insulet, a medical device firm, found that more than half of people with T1D admitted to regularly declining social invitations, reports the Express.
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Many of those polled wished they could take part in more impromptu plans, while a third said that T1D has negatively impacted their sex lives, while the same amount said it also sways their holiday choices. The majority of respondents crave more freedom and flexibility, as 18 per cent even said they feel restricted in their clothing options.
One form of managing T1D that is still prevalent is by doing multiple daily injections, however this can affect a person's quality of life as a third of users find the regular injections uncomfortable. A similar number also struggle to stick to a regular injection schedule as things can change throughout the day.
It has been found that, on average, people who use multiple daily injections will give themselves insulin four times a day. Despite this consistency, 14 per cent of survey participants said that this routine does not align seamlessly with their daily life.
Another issue a quarter of respondents mentioned was the inconvenience of having to carry essential diabetes equipment, such as insulin pens and needles.
These issues may soon be a thing of the past, however, as there are many innovations being created that have given hope for people with Type 1 diabetes. One such technology is the Insulet's Omnipod, which is a tubeless, Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system that is waterproof.
The system - a 'Hybrid Closed Loop' - works with a glucose sensor to automatically adjust the basal insulin levels based on continuous glucose readings. This system should provide those with the condition more freedom in their daily life as it will alleviate the burden of managing their diabetes.
One recent user of the system, Marcus Bosano, recalled his positive experience, saying: "The constant decision-making and worry about my glucose levels have eased. I am less preoccupied with my diabetes and finally feel like I can be much more spontaneous.
"I'm sleeping better because the system takes the strain, and I find I can more easily adapt to last-minute plans and changes. It's given me greater freedom and has been a real game-changer for me personally."
The study for Insulet has revealed that 91 per cent of people who take multiple injections a day are keen to try emerging technology that could eliminate or at least reduce the need for daily injections. However, only 24 per cent of people in Europe with T1D are currently using alternative advanced systems, according to Seagrove.
If you have Type 1 diabetes and are struggling with taking daily injections, it is advised that you speak to your GP or other healthcare experts to consider other options available.
