This research evaluated how living with or without a partner may affect patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). 

T1DM is caused by destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Without insulin the body accumulates sugar in the bloodstream and leads to eye, kidney, nerve and heart problems. As a result, patients with T1DM depend on insulin shots as a life-long treatment. Treatment is also based on a healthy lifestyle, achieved through a balanced diet, regular exercising, and personalized treatment. The intensive daily insulin therapy may have psychological effects on these patients. Sometimes, patients might feel they have no control on the disease or that their family and friends do not understand the self-care efforts (such as planning meals, timing injections, constant measuring blood sugar) they have to make. Lack of social support and understanding for these patients might influence T1DM control. Living without a partner is strongly associated with poor health in the general population. This study aimed to investigate how living without a partner may influence quality of life and general health in T1DM patients.  

2419 patients with T1DM were chosen for this study. All patients completed a questionnaire through which researchers evaluated whether patients lived with a partner/spouse or not and the psychological aspects of living with T1DM. Psychological aspects were defined as diabetes distress (when patients cannot adapt to stress relating to their disease), diabetes empowerment (supporting and motivating oneself), quality of life and glycemic (blood sugar) control through glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. HbA1c is a test that gives an average of blood sugar levels from the last 2 to 3 months. Patients’ medical records were also checked for complication status of the disease.

Overall, T1DM patients who lived without a partner more frequently reported lack of social support. Lack of social support was also associated with higher diabetes distress, low diabetes empowerment, low quality of life and higher HbA1c levels. Also, there was a significant association between low social support and poor disease control, such as less healthy eating, less exercising and poorer medication taking. These results were particularly true for women compared to men. However, poor diabetes control (higher HbA1c levels) was seen in both men and women living without a partner. 

This study found that living without a partner is associated with poorer glycemic control and quality of life and higher distress in patients with T1DM. Therefore, social support can improve disease control and quality of life in these patients.

Most of the patients who responded to the questionnaires were older, had a long duration of the disease and a high rate of complications. Younger patients with short duration of the disease and fewer complications were underrepresented in this study, which might have influenced the results.

Talk to your physician about support groups and how you can improve your quality of life.