Anxiety associated with self monitoring of capillary blood glucose

Abstract

Aims: The aims were to evaluate (1) prevalence and contributing factors of anxiety to the finger prick method used to self monitor glucose: (2) whether individuals report avoidance of self monitoring due to fear of the finger prick method; and (3) levels of general anxiety. Methods: Individuals attending a specialist diabetes outpatient centre, and who self monitored their capillary blood glucose concentrations, were invited to complete a standardised questionnaire to assess anxiety associated with the finger prick method blood glucose measurement, and general day-to-day anxiety. Results: From 315 (58% male) individuals with diabetes, finger prick anxiety was observed in 30% and general anxiety in 33%. Positive correlations were found for finger prick anxiety with avoidance of testing and with general anxiety. Older individuals had less general anxiety and females reported greater anxiety to the finger prick method and general anxiety. There were ethnic differences in anxiety to the finger prick method and avoidance of testing, but not to general anxiety. Conclusions: One third of a general diabetes outpatient cohort have general anxiety and anxiety to the finger prick method for glucose testing. There are important implications for both patients and health care professionals in identifying barriers to achieving improved diabetes control.

Patients’ perceptions of injecting insulin and self‐monitoring of blood glucose in the presence of others

“…‘I don't want to do it in front of other people’ – has also been reported in the study by Polonsky et al . The authors of this study and several others suggest that health care professionals need to have an increased awareness of the emotional obstacles to SMBG and address these issues . Patients’ perception of health care professionals’ lack of interest in their blood glucose readings, belief that blood glucose levels are consistent, lack of knowledge about what to do with high readings, and self chastisement are other described barriers to SMBG …”

“…Shlomowitz and Feher highlighted that a third of diabetes outpatients reported some anxiety towards performing blood glucose monitoring, and that those who avoided self‐monitoring had higher levels of finger‐prick anxiety . The authors noted that high levels of injection anxiety are associated with high levels of general anxiety . Although most of our study participants ‘almost never’ had any evoked emotional responses when performing SMBG, feelings of pain, stress, anxiety and sadness were experienced sometimes.…”

“…Although most of our study participants ‘almost never’ had any evoked emotional responses when performing SMBG, feelings of pain, stress, anxiety and sadness were experienced sometimes. ‘Self‐conscious of testing in public’ was one of several reasons other than finger‐prick anxiety for avoidance of SMBG in the study by Shlomowitz and Feher . Avoidance of SMBG – i.e.…”

“…Some of the barriers to SMBG that have been identified include increased awareness of their diabetes, physical discomfort, low self‐efficacy, low self‐esteem, increased anxiety and depression, and decreased social support. Shlomowitz and Feher highlighted that a third of diabetes outpatients reported some anxiety towards performing blood glucose monitoring, and that those who avoided self‐monitoring had higher levels of finger‐prick anxiety . The authors noted that high levels of injection anxiety are associated with high levels of general anxiety .…”

Association Between Heart Rate Variability Measures and Blood Glucose Levels: Implications for Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes

“…3 This method not only mechanically limits the frequency of BGL monitoring, but the inflicted self-injury acts as a psychological barrier inhibiting regular BGL examination and monitoring. [3][4][5] Furthermore, the discrete nature of a finger prick blood glucose test renders prospective projection of subsequent BGLs not possible; hence, a continuous and noninvasive method for monitoring BGL would be of great advantage over existing systems.…”