Sara Styles

Dr. Sara Styles

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 August 2019 in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NANurul A. Mohd Asarani
Nurul A. Mohd Asarani
ARAndrew Reynolds
Andrew Reynolds
SSSara Styles
Sara Styles
MBMartin de Bock
Martin de Bock
BWBenjamin J. Wheeler
Benjamin J. Wheeler
Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)/flash glucose monitoring (FGM) use in diabetes management is increasing. Cutaneous complications associated with these devices were reported. We conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of cutaneous complications with CGM/FGM use. Methods: We identified observational studies and intervention trials that report on cutaneous complications with CGM/FGM use up to January 14, 2019. Studies were identified through Medline, Embase, and PubMed, or with hand searching of the previous publications. Screening was duplicated and data extracted to consider four main themes: incidence rate and severity, participant perspectives of cutaneous complications, potential solutions, and future directions in diabetic technology relevant to reducing cutaneous complications. Results: A total of 54 eligible studies were identified. The overall event rate of cutaneous complications reported from 19 trials was one event per eight weeks of sensor wear-time of which 1.5% were considered severe. The most common cutaneous complications were wear-related erythema, itching, and induration. Although skin irritations were the most common cause of CGM/FGM discontinuation, most users experienced less pain or discomfort with CGM/FGM than capillary blood glucose testing. Future technological advances may reduce, but not eliminate cutaneous complications. Conclusion: The incidence rate of reported cutaneous complications with CGM/FGM use from the available literature is low, with one event per eight weeks of sensor wear-time. Reported complication severity was also low, leading to low rates of CGM/FGM discontinuation. However, there appear to be discrepancies between reporting in trial and observational data. Greater constancy in reporting is necessary to understand the frequency of this issue.

14 October 2016 in JMIR Research Protocols
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SSSara Styles
Sara Styles
OEOlivia Edwards
Olivia Edwards
Andrew GrayAndrew Gray
Andrew Gray
SNShyamala Nada-Raja
Shyamala Nada-Raja
JLJason Lillis
Jason Lillis
CHCaroline C Horwath
Caroline C Horwath
Middle-aged women are at risk of weight gain and associated comorbidities. Deliberate restriction of food intake (dieting) produces short-term weight loss but is largely unsuccessful for long-term weight management. Two promising approaches for the prevention of weight gain are intuitive eating (ie, eating in accordance with hunger and satiety signals) and the development of greater psychological flexibility (ie, the aim of acceptance and commitment therapy [ACT]). This pilot study investigated the usage, acceptability, and feasibility of "Mind, Body, Food," a Web-based weight gain prevention intervention prototype that teaches intuitive eating and psychological flexibility skills. Participants were 40 overweight women (mean age 44.8 [standard deviation, SD, 3.06] years, mean body mass index [BMI] 32.9 [SD 6.01] kg/m2, mean Intuitive Eating Scale [IES-1] total score 53.4 [SD 7.46], classified as below average) who were recruited from the general population in Dunedin, New Zealand. Module completion and study site metrics were assessed using Google Analytics. Use of an online self-monitoring tool was determined by entries saved to a secure online database. Intervention acceptability was assessed postintervention. BMI, intuitive eating, binge eating, psychological flexibility, and general mental and physical health were assessed pre- and postintervention and 3-months postintervention. Of the 40 women enrolled in the study, 12 (30%) completed all 12 modules (median 7.5 [interquartile range, IQR, 2-12] modules) and 4 (10%) used the self-monitoring tool for all 14 weeks of the intervention period (median 3 [IQR 1-9] weeks). Among 26 women who completed postintervention assessments, most women rated "Mind, Body, Food" as useful (20/26, 77%), easy to use (17/25, 68%) and liked the intervention (22/25, 88%). From pre- to postintervention, there were statistically significant within-group increases in intuitive eating (IES-2 total score P<.001; all IES-2 subscale scores: P ≤.01), psychological flexibility (P=.01), and general mental health (P<.001) as well as significant decreases in binge eating (P=.01). At the 3-month follow-up, IES-2 improvements were maintained, and there were further improvements in binge eating (P<.001) and general mental health (P=.03), and a marginal yet nonsignificant tendency for further improvement in psychological flexibility (P=.06). There were no significant within-group changes in BMI from pre- to postintervention and postintervention to 3-month follow-up (P=.46 and P=.93, respectively). The "Mind, Body, Food" prototype Web-based intervention is appealing to middle-aged women and may be a useful tool to help women learn intuitive eating and ACT skills, reduce binge eating, and maintain weight over 3 months. Further work to improve the user experience and engagement is required before testing the online intervention in a randomized controlled trial.

1 August 2019 in Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
GMGrace C. Macaulay
Grace C. Macaulay
SSSara Styles
Sara Styles
AYAhrabie Yogarajah
Ahrabie Yogarajah
BGBarbara C. Galland
Barbara C. Galland
BWBenjamin Wheeler
Benjamin Wheeler
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a common chronic illness of childhood, with parents assuming considerable responsibility for night-time diabetes caregiving. This qualitative study explored diabe...

11 August 2020 in Diabetes Care
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
SSSara Styles
Sara Styles
AGAndrew R. Gray
Andrew R. Gray
EWEsko J. Wiltshire
Esko J. Wiltshire
MBMartin I. de Bock
Martin I. de Bock
BGBarbara C. Galland
Barbara C. Galland
BWBenjamin Wheeler
Benjamin Wheeler
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) significantly improves glycemic control compared with capillary self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) in youth with type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This multicenter 6-month randomized, controlled, parallel-arm trial included 64 participants aged 13–20 years with established type 1 diabetes and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥9% (≥75 mmol/mol). Participants were allocated to 6-month intervention (isCGM; FreeStyle Libre; Abbott Diabetes Care, Witney, U.K.) (n = 33) or control (SMBG; n = 31) using minimization. The primary outcome was the difference in change in HbA1c from baseline to 6 months. RESULTS There was no evidence of a difference between groups for changes in HbA1c at 6 months (adjusted mean 0.2% greater improvement for isCGM [95% CI −0.9 to 0.5] [−2.1 mmol/mol (95% CI −9.6 to 5.4)]; P = 0.576). However, glucose-monitoring frequency was 2.83 (95% CI 1.72–4.65; P < 0.001) times higher in the isCGM group compared with that in the SMBG group at 6 months. The change in the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire mean item score also favored isCGM at 6 months (P = 0.048), with no significant differences between groups for fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life (both general and diabetes specific) (all P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS For youth with high-risk glycemic control, isCGM led to improvements in glucose testing frequency and diabetes treatment satisfaction. However, these did not translate to greater improvement in glycemic control over usual care with SMBG at 6 months.

1 May 2015 in Social Science & Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SLSarah A. Lovell
Sarah A. Lovell
Andrew GrayAndrew Gray
Andrew Gray
SSSara Styles
Sara Styles

25 December 2019 in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MEMona Elbalshy
Mona Elbalshy
SSSara Styles
Sara Styles
HCHamish Crocket
Hamish Crocket
BGBarbara Galland
Barbara Galland
CMCraig MacKenzie
Craig MacKenzie
BWBenjamin J. Wheeler
Benjamin J. Wheeler
Background: MiaoMiao (MM) is a Bluetooth transmitter, which when paired with a smart phone/device, converts the Abbott FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system into a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Families are increasingly adopting DIY CGM solutions, but little is known about parent and child experiences with these add-on technologies. We aimed to explore experiences of families using MM-CGM including challenges faced and their advice to others who may choose to use the technology. Methods: Between May and July 2019, we conducted 12 semistructured interviews (in person or via video conference) with parents of children (aged ≤16 years) with type 1 diabetes using MM-CGM. Interviews were audio recorded; professionally transcribed and key themes were identified through thematic analysis. Results: Overall, parents used MM-CGM to proactively manage their child’s blood glucose. In all participants, this led to a perceived decrease in frequency of hypoglycemia. Participants reported that the visibility and easy access to blood glucose readings, glucose trends, and customized alarms on parent’s phones decreased their disease burden and improved their sleep quality. Common barriers to using MM-CGM included difficulty of the setting up process, connectivity issues, and lack of support from medical teams. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential feasibility of using a DIY CGM system like MM-CGM, which could be an empowering and cost-effective tool for enabling remote monitoring of blood glucose in real time.