| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease that requires continuous glucose monitoring and insulin therapy. Diabetes technologies, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps (IPs), can help patients manage the disease more effectively, reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, and improve their quality of life. However, not all patients use these technologies efficiently, and their adoption may be limited by various factors. Research aim: To analyze the experiences of T1DM patients using diabetes technologies, identify key barriers to their use, and propose solutions to enhance the effective integration of these technologies into daily diabetes management. Research objectives: 1) To assess T1DM patients’ attitudes toward CGM and IP use and their prevalence; 2) To determine the main barriers in the use of diabetes technologies; 3) To evaluate diabetes distress levels among patients and their relationship with diabetes technology use; 4) To provide recommendations for improving the effective use of diabetes technologies. Research methods: The study was conducted through an anonymous online survey distributed via social media. A total of 71 T1DM patients participated. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Research results: The results showed that 97.2% of respondents used CGMs, while 46.5% used IPs. The main barriers to CGM use were frequent device alerts, anxiety caused by real-time glucose monitoring, and discomfort while wearing the device. IP users most commonly reported discomfort, interference with sleep, and restrictions on daily activities. Additionally, 70.4% of participants experienced moderate to high levels of diabetes distress. Conclusions: Many diabetes technology users face social, psychological, and physical barriers, yet they perceive the benefits of these devices as greater than the drawbacks, and most would like to continue using them. To optimize diabetes technology use, it is essential to select the most suitable device for each patient, improve diabetes self-management skills, and ensure adequate support from healthcare professionals. Keywords: type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetes technologies, barriers to technology use, continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, diabetes distress. |
