Author Block: KATHLEEN A. WILLOUGHBY, EMILEE M. CORNELIUS, HUYEN T. NGUYEN, MEGAN PETER, KATHERINE S.M. CHAPMAN, JAIME LUCOVE
Introduction and Objective: Menopause is characterized by hormonal changes that can impact insulin resistance and weight gain, and in those with type 2 diabetes is associated with worse glycemic outcomes than pre menopause. The lived experience of menopause in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) warrants further investigation. In adult women with T1D, we explored perceptions of healthcare provider knowledge and support and the perceived impact of menopause and associated symptoms on T1D management.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2023 of women with T1D in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, who were enrolled in the T1D Exchange Registry. On a 5-point scale, we asked participants to recall how prepared they felt during their transition to menopause, and to rate perceived knowledge, advice, and empathy/emotional support offered by healthcare providers. Participants were also asked to recall the most challenging aspects of T1D management and how management has changed during this transition using a select-all multiple-choice format.
Results: Responses were collected from 274 participants (135 perimenopause/menopause, 139 post-menopause). Participants reported feeling unprepared for the transition to menopause and its impact on T1D, with 48% feeling “not at all prepared”. Participants reported that sleep disruptions (60%) and weight changes (54%) were most challenging for their T1D management. Perimenopause symptoms resulted in changes in diabetes management for 90% of participants, with increased basal insulin rates identified as the most common change (42%). One-third of participants (35%) reported receiving helpful advice from their healthcare team, 41% felt their healthcare team was knowledgeable about how menopause impacts T1D, and 45% received empathy and emotional support from their healthcare team during the transition to menopause.
Conclusion: These findings, among the first to characterize menopause-related challenges in T1D, highlight gaps in patient preparedness and healthcare support, underscoring the need for future research in this area.
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