Abstract
Aims
To develop a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the impacts of hypoglycaemia on the quality of life of adults living with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods
Thirty-one adults with T1D or T2D who experienced hypoglycaemia participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were purposively sampled by age, sex and type/duration of diabetes. Informed by a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) framework and literature review, an interview guide explored hypoglycaemia-related impacts on quality of life. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework Analysis.
Results
Impacts were coded within three overall themes (physical, psychological and social) comprising 38 subthemes. Of the 11 physical subthemes, the most discussed were sleep, physiological symptoms, leisure and exercise, eating and drinking. Of the 18 psychological subthemes, the most discussed included: awareness; cognitive burden and planning; self management and coping; worry and anxiety; autonomy, independence and control. Of the nine social subthemes, the most discussed were impacts on others and relationship with partner.
Conclusions
A novel HRQoL framework highlights a comprehensive range of impacts of hypoglycaemia on physical, psychological and social functioning of people living with diabetes. These findings offer insights for clinicians, researchers and other interested parties seeking to benefit person-centred outcomes, such as quality of life.
To develop a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the impacts of hypoglycaemia on the quality of life of adults living with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods
Thirty-one adults with T1D or T2D who experienced hypoglycaemia participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were purposively sampled by age, sex and type/duration of diabetes. Informed by a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) framework and literature review, an interview guide explored hypoglycaemia-related impacts on quality of life. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework Analysis.
Results
Impacts were coded within three overall themes (physical, psychological and social) comprising 38 subthemes. Of the 11 physical subthemes, the most discussed were sleep, physiological symptoms, leisure and exercise, eating and drinking. Of the 18 psychological subthemes, the most discussed included: awareness; cognitive burden and planning; self management and coping; worry and anxiety; autonomy, independence and control. Of the nine social subthemes, the most discussed were impacts on others and relationship with partner.
Conclusions
A novel HRQoL framework highlights a comprehensive range of impacts of hypoglycaemia on physical, psychological and social functioning of people living with diabetes. These findings offer insights for clinicians, researchers and other interested parties seeking to benefit person-centred outcomes, such as quality of life.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e70240 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-13 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Diabetic Medicine |
| Early online date | 9 Feb 2026 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 9 Feb 2026 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Keywords
- health-related quality of life
- hypoglycaemia
- person-reported outcomes
- qualitative research
- quality of life diabetes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Endocrinology
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