by Dr Jessica Browne

The Diabetes MILES – Australia study, established in 2011, was a survey focused on the experiences of living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for Australian adults. The 2011 survey attracted more than 3000 participants, enabling greater understanding about the unmet psychological, behavioural and social needs of those living with the condition. Details about the first Diabetes MILES study can be found here.

In 2015, the second Diabetes MILES Australia (MILES-2) study was conducted. The aim of the MILES-2 study was to provide cross-sectional assessment of a new cohort of participants, and to follow-up with the original 2011 study cohort. The total sample included 2,342 respondents, which was made up of 504 from the original 2011 study (longitudinal cohort) and 1838 new participants. The response rate for participants from both cohorts was low. However participant feedback indicated that the survey was perceived as relevant and valuable.

A key strength of the study was the large, population-based sample size that will provide sufficient power for various statistical analyses. Like the 2011 survey, the findings of this study will be widely disseminated through national and international conferences, peer-review publications and consumer forums. For the first time, the longitudinal data from MILES will enable us to explore the predictors and consequences of psychological distress and sub-optimal behavioural diabetes management in a non-clinical, population-based sample across two time-points.

Importantly, this study will enable greater understanding about the priority areas for future research and investigation, and will inform policy, programme and intervention development and evaluation in Australia.

You can read about the MILES-2 study design and methodology here:

Browne JL, Holmes-Truscott E, Ventura AD, Hendrieckx C, Pouwer F, Speight J. Cohort profiles of the cross-sectional and prospective participant groups in the second Diabetes MILES—Australia (MILES-2) study. BMJ Open. e012926.doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012926.

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