Cohort profiles of the cross-sectional and prospective participant groups in the second Diabetes MILES—Australia (MILES-2) study

Abstract

PurposeMore research into the psychosocial aspects of diabetes is needed so that the health and quality of life of people with the condition can be improved. To fill this gap, we conducted the second Diabetes MILES—Australia study (MILES-2), a survey focused on psychological, behavioural and social aspects of diabetes. The aim of the MILES-2 study was to provide a (1) longitudinal follow-up of the original MILES 2011 study cohort; (2) cross-sectional assessment of a new cohort.ParticipantsEligible participants were English-speaking Australians with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, aged 18–75 years. Longitudinal cohort participants were mailed/emailed study invitations directly by researchers. Random sampling (stratified by diabetes type, insulin use, state) of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) database and nationwide advertisements were used to recruit new cohort participants. The final sample included N=2342 eligible respondents (longitudinal cohort: n=504; 2015 new cohort: n=1838); 54% had type 2 diabetes.Findings to dateSurvey respondents were from an advantaged socioeconomic background compared to the general population. Respondents with type 1 diabetes were over-represented in the new cohort (45%) relative to the planned stratification (40% type 1 diabetes, 60% type 2 diabetes). Respondents with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes were under-represented in the new cohort relative to the stratified sampling (42% invited vs 50% response). Participants who completed both the 2011 and 2015 surveys were more likely than those completing the 2011 survey only to have type 1 diabetes, report a higher education and annual income, and live in metropolitan areas. Participant feedback indicated that the survey was perceived as relevant and valuable.Future plansThe depth and breadth of the data available in this large sample will highlight unmet needs and priority areas for future investigation and, crucially, will inform policy, programme and intervention development and evaluation in Australia.

Diabetes stigma is associated with negative treatment appraisals among adults with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes: results from the second Diabetes MILES – Australia (MILES‐2) survey

“…This study uses cross‐sectional data from the second Diabetes MILES–Australia (MILES‐2) study, a national online survey focused on the psychosocial aspects of living with diabetes. The methods and overall sample characteristics have been published elsewhere .…”

“…Potential participants were directed to the study website to provide informed consent, be screened for eligibility and access the online survey. The total MILES‐2 sample includes 2342 English‐speaking Australians with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, aged 18–75 years . The current study includes participants with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes (531, 23%), and excludes participants using insulin pump therapy ( n = 2) or with missing data on the Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS; n = 73).…”

Prospective memory slips are associated with forgetting to take glucose‐lowering therapies among adults with diabetes: results from the second Diabetes MILES – Australia (MILES‐2) survey

“…Although this study has several strengths (noted above and reported elsewhere) [12], some limitations must be acknowledged. First, because the data are cross-sectional it is not possible to make any causal inferences, although it should be noted that the theoretical background linking prospective memory performance to medication forgetting is robust.…”

“…The MILES-2 study included a wide range of self-report measures, which have been described in detail elsewhere [12]. Measures relevant to the current study are described below.…”

“…The second Diabetes MILES (Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success)-Australia study (MILES-2) was a national, online cross-sectional survey of the psychological, behavioural and social aspects of diabetes, the full details of which are reported elsewhere [12]. The primary recruitment strategy relied on accessing the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) database to contact potential respondents (similar to previous MILES surveys) [13].…”