Diabetes burnout affects around one third of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and although known about, it is poorly understood.
The research, funded by Breakthrough T1D UK, aims to hear from people across the UK living with T1D about their experiences of diabetes burnout, to understand why some people go through it and others do not, and under what circumstances it may occur.
The project will investigate the biological and psychosocial impacts of diabetes burnout, including:
- a national online survey asking people living with T1D about their experiences and understanding of diabetes burnout;
- a biomarker study to see if differences in a specific gene associated with the immune system might tell researchers more about who may be vulnerable to diabetes burnout.
Dr Rachel Sumner, Senior Research Associate in Applied Health Research at the University of Bristol, who is leading the project, said: "Diabetes burnout is something those living with Type 1 know very well, yet it has received so little attention in academic research. This project aims to fix that by learning about diabetes burnout directly from the T1D community.
"We want to understand more about what factors are associated with the experience of diabetes burnout so that better support can be developed to help people earlier on, improving the lives of those who may struggle with their mental health while living with T1D."
The condition is a very under-researched area. It's hoped findings from the study will help clinicians to better support people with T1D and benefit future studies.
Diabetes burnout is the severe mental exhaustion that comes from the relentless management of T1D. It is characterised by feeling overwhelmingly exhausted, feeling detached from self-management, or a sense of powerlessness to cope with the demands of living with Type 1. It impacts self-management, meaning some people can find it harder to maintain the routines needed to manage their diabetes effectively.
