Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Diabetes Distress Scale for type 2 diabetes and distress levels of the participants

Abstract

Background/aim: Studies have shown an increased depression rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to the normal population. It is now acknowledged that patients suffer from distress rather than depression. Our aim was to validate the Turkish version of the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and to show distress levels of the participants. Materials and methods: The scale was translated from English to Turkish by the authors and translated back to English. Between August 2015 and January 2016 all the patients who were referred to the T2DM Clinic of İstanbul Medeniyet University were screened, and eligible patients were recruited. For calculating internal consistency Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used. Results: A total of 205 patients [120 females (58.5%), 85 males (41.5%)] were included. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.874, showing internal consistency. The Spearman Brown correlation coefficient was calculated between the first 9 and second 8 questions as 0.884. Thetotal variances were explained at a level of 66.2% with 4 factors. Sixty-three patients (30%) had a score of ≥3, indicating diabetic distress. Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between total score and HbA1c levels (r = 0.152 and P = 0.038). Conclusion: The Turkish version of the DDS for type 2 diabetes is a reliable tool for assessment of distress levels.

The Chinese version of the revised Diabetes Distress Scale for adults with type 2 diabetes: Translation and validation study

“…The mean T2D duration was shorter than in America (14.00 ± 9.30), Australia (8.90 ± 7.00), and Thailand (10.30 ± 7.96), but longer than in Malaysia (4.90 ± 4.39) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , 44 ]. The mean BMI was lower than in the studies in America (33.10 ± 7.70 kg/m 2 ) and Turkey (32.20 ± 12.00 kg/m 2 ) [ 40 , 41 ]. In conclusion, the lower DD in this study as compared to prior studies could be owing to the increased prevalence of male participants, the shorter T2D duration, and/or the lower body weight, which was consistent with the correlations between diabetes distress and demographic characteristics in previous studies [ 5 ].…”

“…In addition, there were more men in this study than in the studies conducted in America (34.8%), Australia (52.0%), Malay (48.1%), Turkey (41.5%), Thailand (31.8%), and Indonesia (43.5%) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] ]. The participants of this study were also younger than those in America (59.90 ± 11.20), Australia (58.20 ± 8.80), Thailand (69.00 ± 7.25), and Indonesia (60.14 ± 9.52), but slightly older than those in the studies from Malaysia (55.20 ± 9.74) and Turkey (55.29 ± 10.00) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] ]. The mean T2D duration was shorter than in America (14.00 ± 9.30), Australia (8.90 ± 7.00), and Thailand (10.30 ± 7.96), but longer than in Malaysia (4.90 ± 4.39) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , 44 ].…”

“…The mean DDS17 score in this study was lower as compared to America (2.20 ± 1.00), Australia (1.90 ± 0.80), Malay (1.99 ± 0.77), and Turkey (2.50 ± 0.90) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] ]. In addition, there were more men in this study than in the studies conducted in America (34.8%), Australia (52.0%), Malay (48.1%), Turkey (41.5%), Thailand (31.8%), and Indonesia (43.5%) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] ].…”

“…The mean DDS17 score in this study was lower as compared to America (2.20 ± 1.00), Australia (1.90 ± 0.80), Malay (1.99 ± 0.77), and Turkey (2.50 ± 0.90) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] ]. In addition, there were more men in this study than in the studies conducted in America (34.8%), Australia (52.0%), Malay (48.1%), Turkey (41.5%), Thailand (31.8%), and Indonesia (43.5%) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] ]. The participants of this study were also younger than those in America (59.90 ± 11.20), Australia (58.20 ± 8.80), Thailand (69.00 ± 7.25), and Indonesia (60.14 ± 9.52), but slightly older than those in the studies from Malaysia (55.20 ± 9.74) and Turkey (55.29 ± 10.00) [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] ].…”

“…This might be explained by cultural differences because physicians are considered to play a more dominant role in diabetes routines, and diabetes routines place more reliance on numerical targets in China than in America [ 45 ]. Similarly, one question was classified in a different sub-dimension from the original scale in the validation analyses of other language versions [ 41 ]. The Norwegian version of the DDS17 found that the seventh item (“Feeling that I will end up with serious long-term complications, no matter what I do”) was allocated to regimen distress instead of the emotional burden sub-scale [ 46 ].…”