People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) need insulin for survival but hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) is a common side effect. If undetected and untreated, hypoglycaemia can cause confusion, injury, reduced quality of life, coma, and, tragically, though rarely, sudden death.
Unsurprisingly, living with the risk of hypoglycaemia impairs mental health: 75 per cent of people with T1D have mild hypoglycaemia-related anxiety; 25 per cent experience severe diabetes distress; 26 per cent meet diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. Hypoglycaemia-related anxiety drives misguided coping strategies (e.g. skipping insulin or maintaining glucose above target), which increase risk for devastating long-term complications.
Our solution, HypoPAST (Hypoglycaemia Prevention, Awareness of Symptoms, and Treatment), is the first fully online psycho-educational program designed to reduce hypoglycaemia-related anxiety through improved prevention and management of hypoglycaemia. In this randomised controlled trial, we will examine its effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, in terms of hypoglycaemia-related anxiety, hypoglycaemia episodes, and the broader mental health of adults with T1D.
TTRA Project Round: Two
State: Victoria
Project Partners:
Funding:
Duration: October 2022 – June 2025
