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Anxiety tied to poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
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Anxiety and negative emotions appeared to negatively affect glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, whereas extraversion and conscientiousness were associated with improved blood glucose, according to findings in an Iranian study published in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders.
“Given the chronic nature of diabetes, achieving treatment goals for the disease depends mostly on the patient’s compliance with medical instructions and self-care activities; however, the patient’s compliance is affected by several factors as well,” Maryam Esmaeilinasab, PhD, of the department of psychology at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, and colleagues wrote. “The present study attempts to address the major psychological dimensions of human beings that affect glycemic control.”
Esmaeilinasab and colleagues performed a cross-sectional study on 400 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated at the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute of Dr. Shariati Hospital in Tehran. Participants were referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist for evaluation, then asked to complete three surveys: the NEO Personality Inventory, the Spiritual Assessment Inventory and the Defense Style Questionnaire. All patients also underwent HbA1c testing.
Patients were aged 18 to 65 years (mean age, 51 years), and 64% were men. Most patients (71.8%; n = 287) used glycemic control pills to treat their diabetes, whereas the rest also used insulin injections. Mean duration of the disease was 10.1 years.
Extraversion and conscientiousness were both negatively correlated with a higher HbA1c, the researchers reported (r = –0.13; P < .01 for both). Neuroticism, meanwhile, was positively associated with HbA1c (r = 0.12; P < .05). Impression management was associated with HbA1c (r = 0.17; P < .001), marking the only spiritual component connected to glycemic control.
“The positive attitude inherent to [extraverted and conscientious] personality trait can explain the better acceptance of diabetes and adaptation to it through self-care behaviors,” researchers wrote.
“The results of the present study showed that investigating personality traits can be useful for identifying patients predisposed to improper glycemic control,” Esmaeilinasab and colleagues wrote. “These results can also be used in the design of educational programs for newly diagnosed diabetic patients.” – by Andy Polhamus
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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