The Experience of Being Sleepy While Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

BACKGROUND Although it is known that excessive daytime sleepiness negatively affects mood and motivation, it is unknown how sleepiness affects diabetic management. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of sleepiness in managing type 2 diabetes. STUDY DESIGN This grounded theory study employed three focus groups led by a facilitator knowledgeable of qualitative research. Sessions were tape recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Participants were adults with type 2 diabetes older than 21 years with subjective sleepiness. Transcripts of the sessions were reviewed for themes. RESULTS Seventeen persons participated (35% men, 65% Whites, aged 55.5 ± 7.8 years). Major themes extracted from the data were (a) sleepiness was a daily burden, (b) only the minimum was done, (c) lack of structure exacerbating the difficulty, and (d) persons felt negative personal emotions. CONCLUSIONS Health care providers need to appreciate and understand that sleepiness negatively affects the daily lives of persons with diabetes, making diabetic management more difficult.