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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2DIA-LINK2NCT04438018

Towards a Better Understanding of Diabetes Distress, Depression and Poor Glycaemic Control in T2DM

An observational study of Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 and Depressive Symptoms, run by Norbert Hermanns at 1 site in Germany.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

DIA-LINK2 is a prospective observational study analysing longitudinal associations and mediating links between diabetes distress (DD), depressive symptoms (DS) and glycaemic outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A total of 200 people with T2DM with different levels of DD and DS are to be enrolled. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
How many people
205 participants
Where
1 siteGermany
Study dates
1 Jul 2020to 31 Mar 2022
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: People with T2DM with different levels of diabetes distress (DD) and/or depressive symptoms (DS): Four groups of n = 50 persons each reporting 1. "no DD/no DS" vs. 2. "DD/no DS" vs. 3. "DS/no DD" vs. "DD and DS".

Who may be able to join

  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Diabetes duration at least 1 year
  • Age between 18 and 70 years
  • Sufficient German language skills
  • Informed consent
  • Smartphone available

Who cannot join

  • Capacity for consent lacking
  • Illness with significant impairment of cognitive functioning (e.g. dementia)
  • Severe somatic illness or mental disorder which interferes with study participation or might confound the results (dialysis-dependent renal failure; heart failure, i.e. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV; cancer requiring treatment; schizophrenia/psychotic disorder; bipolar disorder; severe eating disorder F50.0/F50.2; personality disorder)
  • Terminal illness
  • Being bedridden

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Germany1 site
  • Research Institute of the Diabetes Academy Mergentheim, Diabetes Center Mergentheim

    Bad Mergentheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, 97980

Other trials in Germany

About this study

Official title: Towards a Better Understanding of Diabetes Distress, Depression and Poor Glycaemic Control Leading to Personalised Interventions for People With Type 2 Diabetes

DIA-LINK2 is a prospective observational study analysing longitudinal associations and mediating links between diabetes distress (DD), depressive symptoms (DS) and glycaemic outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A total of 200 people with T2DM with different levels of DD and DS are to be enrolled.

At baseline, all participants are assessed for DD and DS, psychological and stress-related variables, self-reported self-management, HbA1c and inflammatory markers.

Read more

This is followed by a 4-week ambulatory assessment period including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), continuous activity tracking and daily event sampling regarding sleep, stress levels, mood and diabetes-related issues; additionally, cortisol levels are assessed on four days within this period.

Three months after baseline, a follow-up assessment covers DD and DS levels, stress-related variables, self-reported self-management, HbA1c and final CGM assessment.

The analyses aim to establish risk factors/protective factors regarding DD and DS, their relative impact on glycaemic outcomes and potential mediation of the associations by behavioural (e.g. self-management, physical activity), physical (e.g. heart rate variability, inflammatory activity) and mental variables (subjective stress level) in T2DM.

Read the detailed description

DIA-LINK2 is a prospective observational study analysing longitudinal associations between diabetes distress (DD), depressive symptoms (DS) and glycaemic outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A variety of behavioural, physical and mental variables are assessed to analyse the mediating links between DD, DS and glycaemia.

A total of 200 people with T2DM are enrolled according to DD (PAID ≥ / < 40) and DS (CES-D ≥ / < 22) scores so that four groups (n = 50 persons each) with varying levels of DD and DS are established: 1. PAID < 40 and CES-D < 22 (no DD, no DS); 2. PAID ≥ 40 and CES-D < 22 (DD, no DS); 3. PAID < 40 and CES-D ≥ 22 (DS, no DD); 4. PAID ≥ 40 and CES-D ≥ 22 (DD and DS).

At baseline, all participants are assessed for relevant psychological and stress-related variables (daily hassles, life events, diabetes-related problems and fears, coping styles, resilience, diabetes acceptance, depression) as well as self-reported diabetes self-management using validated self-report scales and interviews; HbA1c and selected markers of inflammation (hsCRP, IL-6, IL-18, IL1Ra) are analysed from venous blood samples.

This is followed by a 4-week ambulatory assessment period including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (to establish time in range, glucose variability and times in hypo/hyperglycaemia), continuous activity tracking regarding general activity, movement, sleep and heart rate using a wristband as well as event sampling regarding sleep quality, stress levels, mood and diabetes-related issues four times daily using a smartphone app. Additionally, salivary cortisol levels are estimated on four consecutive days (each including a morning, afternoon and night time sample) within this period.

Three months after baseline, a follow-up assessment is performed which includes self-report measures of DD and DS, stress-related variables and diabetes self-management, HbA1c estimation from venous blood samples and final CGM assessment over 14 days.

The collected data are used to analyse risk factors/protective factors regarding DD and DS, their relative impact on glycaemic outcomes and potential mediation of the associations by behavioural (e.g. self-management, physical activity), physical (e.g. heart rate variability, inflammatory activity) and mental variables (subjective stress level) in T2DM.

The findings shall be used to develop personalised interventions for people with diabetes and comorbid mental conditions (DD and DS).

Medical subject headings
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Depression, Stress, Psychological

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT04438018
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
No DD or DSNo diabetes distress or depressive symptoms reported (CES-D < 22, PAID < 40)
DD without DSDiabetes distress but no depressive symptoms reported (CES-D < 22, PAID ≥ 40)
DS without DDDepressive symptoms but no diabetes distress reported (CES-D ≥ 22, PAID < 40)
DD and DSBoth diabetes distress and depressive symptoms reported (CES-D ≥ 22, PAID ≥ 40)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Depressive symptoms

    Depressive symptoms are assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), covering 20 symptoms of depression. Frequencies of the symptoms during the past week are scored on a 4-point Likert scale (from 0 - "rarely or non of the time" to 3 - "most or all of the time"). Item scores are summed to a total score ranging from 0 to 60, whereby higher values reflect higher depressive symptoms. A cut-off point at ≥ 22 points (found to have the best likelihood ratio for detecting depression within the German population) is used to establish elevated depressive symptoms in this study.

    Measured: 3-month follow-up

  2. Diabetes Distress

    Diabetes Distress is assessed as using the 20-item Problem Areas In Diabetes Scale (PAID). 20 potential problems related to living with diabetes are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (from 0 - "not a problem" to 4 - "serious problem"). Item scores are summed/transformed to a total score ranging from 0 to 100, whereby higher values reflect higher diabetes distress. A cut-off point at ≥ 40 points is commonly used to establish high diabetes distress, so too in this study.

    Measured: 3-month follow-up

  3. HbA1c

    HbA1c (estimated in %-points; mmol/mol values are calculated thereof) is used as a measure of glycaemic levels during past 3 months. It is estimated from a venous blood sample using high performance liquid chromatography (Tosho G11 analyser; meeting International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) standard) in this study. Higher values indicate less optimal glycaemic control, and values above 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) are considered to indicate glycaemic levels in need of improvement.

    Measured: 3-month follow-up

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. "Time in range" of glucose levels

    Percentage of glucose values measured using CGM ("FreeStyle Libre 2" glucose monitoring system) during 4-week ambulatory assessment which are between 70 and 180 mg/dl (out of all measured values). Note that although the expression "time in range (TIR)" suggests a time measure, this is in fact estimated as a percentage score.

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  2. Variability of glucose levels

    Estimated by the coefficient of variation (range 0 to 1) of all glucose values measured using CGM ("FreeStyle Libre 2" glucose monitoring system) during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase.

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  3. "Time in hypoglycaemia" of glucose levels

    Percentage of glucose values measured using CGM ("FreeStyle Libre 2" glucose monitoring system) during 4-week ambulatory assessment phase which are below 70 mg/dl (out of all measured values). Note that although the expression "time in hypoglycaemia" suggests a time measure, this is in fact estimated as a percentage score.

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  4. "Time in hyperglycaemia" of glucose levels

    Percentage of glucose values measured using CGM ("FreeStyle Libre 2" glucose monitoring system) during 4-week ambulatory assessment phase which are over 180 mg/dl (out of all measured values). Note that although the expression "time in hyperglycaemia" suggests a time measure, this is in fact estimated as a percentage score.

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  5. Activity time

    Activity time (in h/day) is measured continuously during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using a wearable health tracker/wristband ("Garmin vivosmart 4").

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  6. Sleep time

    Sleep time (in h/day) is measured continuously during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using a wearable health tracker/wristband ("Garmin vivosmart 4").

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  7. Heart rate (variability)

    Heart rate (in beats/minute) is measured continuously during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using a wearable health tracker/wristband ("Garmin vivosmart 4"). Heart rate variability is calculated thereof using the coefficient of variation.

    Measured: Continuous assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  8. Self-reported sleep quality

    Sleep quality of the past night is assessed each morning during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using items from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) adapted for ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Subjective sleep quality is rated on a 10-point Likert scale (0-"very poor" to 10-"very good"). Further items request total time in bed ("How many hours did you stay in bed last night?"), sleep latency ("How many minutes did it take until you fell asleep?"), number of wake-ups ("How many times did you wake up last night?") and total time awake ("If you woke up, how many minutes did you stay awake in total?"). The following aspects are estimated thereof: sleep quality; sleep latency; sleep duration; sleep efficiency (each scored from 0 to 3; higher scores indicate more problems). The scales are summed to a total from 0 to 12; higher scores reflect lower sleep quality. Scoring of the PSQI is explained elsewhere (https://www.dgsm.de/fachinformationen_frageboegen_psqi.php).

    Measured: Daily assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  9. Stress level

    Stress level is assessed four times daily during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase assessed using the single item "How stressed are you feeling right now?" and a Likert scale from 0 - "not at all stressed" to 10 - "very strongly stressed" in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) survey via smartphone.

    Measured: Daily assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  10. Mood: Hedonic tone

    Mood is assessed twice daily during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using selected items from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL) in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) survey via smartphone. 12 of the 29 UMACL items were selected based on their significant associations with glycaemic outcomes from CGM assessment (own data set); each four of them reflect positive and negative hedonic tone and energetic and tense arousal. Responses are given on a four-point Likert scale (0 - "definitely not" / 1 - "slightly not" / 2 - "slightly" / 3 - "definitely) reflecting the presence or absence of each aspects. Item scores are summed/averaged to scale scores (from 0 to 3) reflecting hedonic tone and arousal levels; higher scores reflect higher hedonic tone and arousal levels, respectively.

    Measured: Daily assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  11. Mood: Arousal

    Mood is assessed twice daily during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using selected items from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL) in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) survey via smartphone. 12 of the 29 UMACL items were selected based on their significant associations with glycaemic outcomes from CGM assessment (own data set); each four of them reflect positive and negative hedonic tone and energetic and tense arousal. Responses are given on a four-point Likert scale (0 - "definitely not" / 1 - "slightly not" / 2 - "slightly" / 3 - "definitely) reflecting the presence or absence of each aspects. Item scores are summed/averaged to scale scores (from 0 to 3) reflecting hedonic tone and arousal levels; higher scores reflect higher hedonic tone and arousal levels, respectively.

    Measured: Daily assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  12. Diabetes-specific problems

    Diabetes-specific problems are assessed daily during the 4-week ambulatory assessment phase using six items adapted from the Problem Areas In Diabetes Scale and additional items in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) survey via smartphone. Responses are given on a Likert scale from 0 - "not at all" to 10 - "very strong". Item scores are averaged to a scale ranging from 0 to 10, whereby higher scores indicate greater problems.

    Measured: Daily assessment over 4 weeks from baseline

  13. Cortisol

    Cortisol level (in μg/dl) is estimated from saliva samples collected at fixed day times (morning; afternoon; late evening) on four consecutive days (Sat/Sun/Mon/Tue) during ambulatory assessment period. Collection date within 4 week-period is from the beginning of the third week (approx. 2 weeks after baseline). Samples are analysed using electrochemiluminescence (Cobas 6000 analyser).

    Measured: 2 weeks after baseline

  14. Marker of inflammation #1: high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)

    Estimated from venous blood sample (fasting blood collection) in mg/dl.

    Measured: Baseline

  15. Marker of inflammation #2: interleukin-6 (IL-6)

    Estimated from venous blood sample (fasting blood collection) in pg/ml.

    Measured: Baseline

  16. Marker of inflammation #3: interleukin-18 (IL-18)

    Estimated from venous blood sample (fasting blood collection) in pg/ml.

    Measured: Baseline

  17. Marker of inflammation #4: interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra)

    Estimated from venous blood sample (fasting blood collection) in pg/ml.

    Measured: Baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Jun 2020
  2. Study start1 Jul 2020
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2021
  4. Study completion31 Mar 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
205 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04438018
Sponsor's protocol ID
NH082018_2
Acronym
DIA-LINK2
Status last verified
Apr 2022
First submitted
16 Jun 2020
Last updated
8 Apr 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Ehrmann D, Hermanns N, Schmitt A, Klinker LY, Bergis D, Kulzer B. Temporal dynamics of daily diabetes-specific burdens using intensive longitudinal data: the central role of feelings of guilt within a multilevel network analysis. Diabetologia. 2026 Sep 21. doi: 10.1007/s00125-026-06869-1. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 42766003
  • Schmitt A, Ehrmann D, Kuniss N, Muller N, Kulzer B, Hermanns N. Assessing fear of complications in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes with the Fear of Diabetes Complications Questionnaire. Health Psychol. 2023 Sep;42(9):674-685. doi: 10.1037/hea0001304. Epub 2023 Jul 27.

    PubMed 37498716

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 and Depressive Symptoms, run by Norbert Hermanns at 1 site in Germany.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Apr 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Depressive symptoms (time frame: 3-month follow-up). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04438018, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Apr 2022.

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