Productivity loss and diabetes distress among patients with type 2 diabetes seeking out patient care at a tertiary hospital in Bengaluru, South India

Background: Type 2 diabetes contributes to significant productivity losses in paid work and unpaid work. Patients with Type 2 diabetes also feel distressed due to the concerns about disease management, its emotional burden, physician-related issues, and regimen-related distress. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the productivity loss and diabetes distress among patients with Type 2 diabetes attending the outpatient department at a tertiary care setting and the association between productivity loss and diabetes distress in the study population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 121 outpatients with Type 2 diabetes at a tertiary care hospital. A semistructured interview schedule that included questions on sociodemographic profile, details about diabetes, the Institute for Medical Technology Assessment Productivity Cost Questionnaire, and Diabetes Distress Scale was administered. Results: Around half of the study participants (47.1%) reported productivity losses either in paid and/or unpaid work. The total cost of productivity loss among 121 patients over 4 weeks was calculated to be Indian National Rupees 2,526,880. Individuals with diabetes distress levels worthy of clinical attention (moderate and high levels of distress) were found to be 20.6%. Significant emotional burden was seen among 40.5% of the study participants. Of the population who had distress due to diabetes, 60% had productivity loss. Conclusion: Patients with type 2 diabetes have high productivity losses and distress due to diabetes. Patients with productivity losses have significantly higher levels of diabetic distress.