Diabetes & Quality of Life

Kevin A. Matlock collaborated with Hypo-RESOLVE on a joint research project involving 23 organisations over 10 countries, to study the psychosocial burdens of hypoglycaemia in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Background:

The global prevalence of diabetes is predicted to increase by 50% over the next two decades, and more than 9 out of 10 of these individuals are expected to have type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose levels can typically be managed in the short-term using lifestyle changes and oral medications, but in the long-term many people with type 2 diabetes require insulin therapy to regulate their blood glucose.

While insulin is effective at preventing future complications of diabetes, it also increases the risk for hypoglycaemic episodes in which blood glucose falls below healthy levels. Nearly half of those with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes report having experienced hypoglycaemia, and recurrent episodes have been linked to negative health outcomes, including seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, and in rare instances even death. Less is known, however, about the ways in which hypoglycaemia impacts the psychological and social dimensions of health. Given the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, establishing a clear understanding of how hypoglycaemia impacts all aspects of quality of life is vital for safeguarding global public health.

Funding:

This project was funded by the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 (IMI2) Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement no. 777460. The JU receives support from European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EEPIA), T1D Exchange, JDRF, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Research Output:

Matlock, K. A. (2022). Quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes: a mixed-methods exploration of the psychosocial impacts of hypoglycaemia [PhD thesis]. University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/publications/quality-of-life-in-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-a-mixed-methods-ex

Matlock, K. A. (2022, May 20-22). Exploring mental health, quality of life, and hypoglycaemia as lived experiences: themes from a multi-national qualitative survey of adults with type 2 diabetes [Conference presentation]. 4th International Conference on Future of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rome, Italy. https://www.fshconf.org/fourth-round

Matlock, K. A., Broadley, M., Hendrieckx, C., Clowes, M., Sutton, A., Heller, S. R., de Galan, B. E., Pouwer, F., & Speight, J. (2022). Changes in quality of life following hypoglycaemia in adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Diabetic Medicine, 39(1), Article e14706. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.14706

Matlock, K. A. (2021, November 30). How does hypoglycemia change quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes? [Video presentation]. MEDtalk, Best Practice Nordic. https://bpno.dk/medtalks/how-do-hypoglycemia-change-quality-of-life-in-patients-with-type-2-diabetes

Matlock, K. A. (2021, October 4-5). Impact of Hypoglycaemia on Quality of Life in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from a Review of Longitudinal Studies [Conference presentation]. Hypo-RESOLVE Annual Meeting 2021, Germany.

Matlock, K. A., Broadley, M., Speight, J., & Pouwer, F. (2024). Hypoglycaemia severity, frequency, and change as predictors of outcomes related to quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes: a mega-analysis of 23 clinical trials. Manuscript in preparation.

Matlock, K. A., Broadley, M., Speight, J., & Pouwer, F. (2024). How does hypoglycaemia impact quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes? Results from a multi-national online qualitative survey. Manuscript in preparation.