Psychological distress and its effects on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective To investigate the diabetes distress and its effects on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and provide guidance for the promotion of psychophysical wellbeing and disease management. Methods This is a correlational study that enrolled 87 patients with T2DM by using convenience sampling method. The diabetes distress and glycemic control were evaluated by using the diabetes distress scale (DDS) and glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c. DDS score and general information was compared between participants who had a good glycemic control (HbA1c<7%) and those who had a poor glycemic control (HbA1c≥7%), and the relationship between diabetes distress and glycemic control was analysised. Results The mean total distress score was (2.29±1.10). HbA1c level was positively correlated with total DDS score, emotional distress, regimen-related distress, and inter-personal distress(r=0.46, 0.45, 0.48, 0.25; P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that, if age, gender, BMI, and diabetes duration were controlled, DDS total score was a significant influencing factor of HbA1c level. Conclusions The level of psychological distress is an important factor for glycemic control in people with T2DM. This underscores the importance of assessment and intervention of diabetes distress in clinical practice. Meanwhile, experimental study should be designed to examine the effects of psychologicaldistress on glycemic control. Key words: Diabetes, type 2; Psychological distress; Glycemic control