Factors associated with loneliness in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Patients with diabetes generally experience moderate loneliness, with almost one-fifth (16%) of patients experiencing intense loneliness. The patients scored a mean 9.94 out of a possible 20 in belongings and affiliation category and 20.14 out of a possible 40 in the intimate others category. Lower education, being single and the presence of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus were risk factors for increased loneliness.