ON THE RELATION AMONG PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, DIABETES-RELATED HEALTHBEHAVIOR, AND LEVEL OF GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN IN TYPE-I DIABETES

This study aimed at investigating the relation between psychological d istress, diabetes-related health behavior, and metabolic aspects of di abetes. Fifty-one adult patients with type I diabetes mellitus took pa rt in the study. Psychological status, health, and self-care behavior were assessed by means of questionnaires. Level of glycosylated hemogl obin (HbA(lc)) served as the index of metabolic control. Depression wa s slightly elevated among women as was trait anxiety and blood-injury phobia or fear of medical interventions in all patients. Depression an d anxiety were not related to duration of diabetes or presence of diab etes complications. As could be expected, patients who frequently chec ked their blood glucose level had a significantly lower level of HbA(l c) than those with infrequent checks. Patients with a marked blood-inj ury phobia carried out fewer daily checks of blood glucose level than those without, but blood-injury phobia was not directly related to HbA (lc) level. A higher level of HbA(lc) was, however, associated with mo od deterioration. As depression was not related to health behavior, it s effect on metabolic control is likely to be mediated via endocrine r ather than behavioral variables.