OBJECTIVES: To estimate the minimal important difference (MID) for the hypoglycemia fear survey (HFS-II) in adult continuous glucose monitor (CGM) users with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted with adult (≥18 years) CGM users with self-reported T1D diagnosis. Participants completed the HFS-II survey (score 0 - 72; higher score = greater hypoglycemia fear), as part of a larger study.

RESULTS: A total of 1,847 participants completed the survey. Overall, 67.5% (n=1247) participants were female, the mean age was 45.9 years (standard deviation [SD] = 15.3) and participants averaged 30.0 (SD = 15.1) years living with T1D. The mean HFS-II total scale score was 40.2 (SD = 22.1). The MIDs for the HFS-II total scale was 5.2 based on the standard error (SE) of measurement, 10.6 based on 8% of the theoretical score range, and 11.0 based on the SD multiplied by 0.5. The MIDs for HFS-Worry and HFS-Behavior were 3.4 and 3.6 based on the SE of measurement, 5.8 and 4.8 based on 8% of the theoretical score range, and 7.4 and 4.6 based on SD multiplied by 0.5, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to calculate the MID for HFS-II in adult CGM users with T1D. The variability in MID per distribution-based method observed is consistent with the current literature on HFS-II MID observed for people with type 2 diabetes.