Diagnosis and management of prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study of patient experiences
9 affiliations
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- 2Therapeutics Initiative, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- 3Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- 4Diabetes Action Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 5Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 6Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- 7Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- 8Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 9Toronto Western Family Health Team, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Objectives To explore experiences and perspectives on diagnosis and management among individuals living with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured virtual interviews and Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis.Setting British Columbia, Canada.Participants 12 adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with prediabetes (6.0%≤haemoglobin A1C≤6.4%) or early type 2 diabetes (6.5%≤haemoglobin A1C≤7.0%) within the past 5 years. We used purposeful sampling to recruit eligible participants through an online health research platform.Results We developed three main themes: (1) ‘Mixed feelings about early detection’ captured the emotionally complex experience of an early diagnosis and the evolving process of sense-making beyond the initial response; (2) ‘Knowledge: a powerful enabler of self-management’ highlighted the role of timely, trusted and meaningful information and how understanding both the risks and the manageability of the condition can motivate action; (3) ‘Care that fits people’s lives’ reflected individuals’ need for supportive and individualised care and their view of lifestyle changes as the foundation of management, with medication to fill gaps if needed.Conclusions Centred on the lived experiences of people with prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes, this study highlights the emotional complexity of these diagnoses and the need for care that supports contextualised empowerment and individualised management. The insights from this study can inform patient-centred clinical practice, policy and resource co-design for prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes.
Related
- Mothers' emotional and caregiving experiences during the first month after a child's acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis: A qualitative study
- Beneficiary experiences in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program: a qualitative focus group study
- Lived Experiences of Adulthood with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis of Diagnosis, Support, Employment, and Mental Health
- How pain shapes type 2 diabetes self-management in rural communities: a qualitative study
- Patients’ Lived Experiences of Self-Management in Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Qualitative Study
BibTeX
@article{eskandari2026diagnosis,
title = {{Diagnosis and management of prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study of patient experiences}},
author = {Raha Eskandari and Wade Thompson and Dana Stanley and Jessica Otte and Colleen Fuller and N. Zoe Hilton and Colin Dormuth and Iliana Lega and Sonia Butalia and Fariba Aghajafari and Karen Tu and Anshula Ambasta},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122021},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122021},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Diagnosis and management of prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study of patient experiences
AU - Raha Eskandari
AU - Wade Thompson
AU - Dana Stanley
AU - Jessica Otte
AU - Colleen Fuller
AU - N. Zoe Hilton
AU - Colin Dormuth
AU - Iliana Lega
AU - Sonia Butalia
AU - Fariba Aghajafari
AU - Karen Tu
AU - Anshula Ambasta
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122021
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122021
AB - Objectives To explore experiences and perspectives on diagnosis and management among individuals living with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured virtual interviews and Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis.Setting British Columbia, Canada.Participants 12 adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with prediabetes (6.0%≤haemoglobin A1C≤6.4%) or early type 2 diabetes (6.5%≤haemoglobin A1C≤7.0%) within the past 5 years. We used purposeful sampling to recruit eligible participants through an online health research platform.Results We developed three main themes: (1) ‘Mixed feelings about early detection’ captured the emotionally complex experience of an early diagnosis and the evolving process of sense-making beyond the initial response; (2) ‘Knowledge: a powerful enabler of self-management’ highlighted the role of timely, trusted and meaningful information and how understanding both the risks and the manageability of the condition can motivate action; (3) ‘Care that fits people’s lives’ reflected individuals’ need for supportive and individualised care and their view of lifestyle changes as the foundation of management, with medication to fill gaps if needed.Conclusions Centred on the lived experiences of people with prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes, this study highlights the emotional complexity of these diagnoses and the need for care that supports contextualised empowerment and individualised management. The insights from this study can inform patient-centred clinical practice, policy and resource co-design for prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -