Injection related anxiety in insulin-treated diabetes

The presence of injection related anxiety and phobia may influence complian ce, glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with insulin-treated diabetes. Unselected consecutive, insulin-treated patients attending a diab etes clinic for follow-up, completed a standardised questionnaire providing an injection anxiety score (IAS) and general anxiety score (GAS). A total of 115 insulin-treated (80 Type 1 and 35 Type 2) diabetic patients complete d the questionnaire. Injections had been avoided secondary to anxiety in 14 % of cases and 32% expressed concern at having to inject more frequently. A n IAS greater than or equal to 3 was seen in 28% of patients and of these, 66% injected insulin one to two times/day, 45% had avoided injections, and 70% would be bothered by more frequent injections. A significant correlatio n between IAS and GAS was seen (Kendall's tau-a 0.30, 95% CI 0.19-0.41, P < 0-001).:GAS was significantly associated with both previous injection avoi dance and expressed concern at increased injection frequency. No significan t correlation was seen with HbA(1c) and injection or general anxiety scores . Symptoms relating to insulin injection anxiety and phobia have a high pre valence in an unselected group of diabetic patients requiring insulin injec tions and are associated with higher levels-of general anxiety. (C) 1999 Pu blished by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.