Differential Impact of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes on Families: A UK Cross-Sectional Study Using FROM-16
Author(s)
Rubina Shah, PhD, MPH, MSc1, Andrew Y Finlay, CBE, FRCP1, Faraz Mahmood Ali, MBChB, MRCP(UK), PGCert (Med Ed)1, Kennedy Otwombe, PhD2, Stuart J Nixon, BSc3, John R Ingram, MA, MSc, DM(Oxon)1, Sam Salek, PhD, FFPM4.
1Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom, 2Cardiff University, Johannesburg, South Africa, 3Charity, Cardiff, United Kingdom, 4University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
1Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom, 2Cardiff University, Johannesburg, South Africa, 3Charity, Cardiff, United Kingdom, 4University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: A person's diabetes affects the quality of life (QoL) of family members. However, how the family impact varies across Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) was unknown. The study aimed to measure the impact of T1D and T2D on the QoL of family members/partners and assess whether there is any difference in family burden.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study, recruited online through patient support groups: Diabetes UK, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Healthwise Wales and Social Services Departments Wales. The study involved UK family members/partners of people with diabetes completing the Family Reported Outcome Measure-16 (FROM-16).
RESULTS: 261 family members/partners (mean age=57.9 years, SD=13.8; females=68.2%) of people with diabetes (mean age=57.7, SD=20.6; females=38.3%; T1D n=100; T2D n=161) completed the FROM-16. The overall FROM-16 mean score was 10.47, SD=7.8, meaning a ‘moderate effect’ on the QoL of family members of people with diabetes. 25% of family members experienced a "very large effect' or 'extremely large effect' on their QoL (FROM-16 score≥17). The family impact of T1D (mean FROM-16=12.61, SD=7.9) was greater than that of T2D (mean FROM-16=9.15, SD=7.5, p<0.01). Being "female" and "parents of children and adolescents" were significant predictors of greater impact. Family members of T2D had a lower risk of experiencing a high family impact (FROM-16 score≥17) compared with T1D (RR: 0.561, 95% CI: 0.371-0.849).
CONCLUSIONS: The family members of people with T1D, particularly those caring for children and adolescents, experience a greater impact on their QoL compared to those with T2D. These findings have clinical and resource implications, indicating a need to assess this impact as a part of routine diabetes care to support impacted family members. The FROM-16 could assess this impact in routine practice and facilitate appropriate support to families.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study, recruited online through patient support groups: Diabetes UK, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Healthwise Wales and Social Services Departments Wales. The study involved UK family members/partners of people with diabetes completing the Family Reported Outcome Measure-16 (FROM-16).
RESULTS: 261 family members/partners (mean age=57.9 years, SD=13.8; females=68.2%) of people with diabetes (mean age=57.7, SD=20.6; females=38.3%; T1D n=100; T2D n=161) completed the FROM-16. The overall FROM-16 mean score was 10.47, SD=7.8, meaning a ‘moderate effect’ on the QoL of family members of people with diabetes. 25% of family members experienced a "very large effect' or 'extremely large effect' on their QoL (FROM-16 score≥17). The family impact of T1D (mean FROM-16=12.61, SD=7.9) was greater than that of T2D (mean FROM-16=9.15, SD=7.5, p<0.01). Being "female" and "parents of children and adolescents" were significant predictors of greater impact. Family members of T2D had a lower risk of experiencing a high family impact (FROM-16 score≥17) compared with T1D (RR: 0.561, 95% CI: 0.371-0.849).
CONCLUSIONS: The family members of people with T1D, particularly those caring for children and adolescents, experience a greater impact on their QoL compared to those with T2D. These findings have clinical and resource implications, indicating a need to assess this impact as a part of routine diabetes care to support impacted family members. The FROM-16 could assess this impact in routine practice and facilitate appropriate support to families.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HSD33
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Patient-Centered Research
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas