Emotional reactivity to daily stress, spousal emotional support, and fasting blood glucose among patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Stress is associated with higher blood glucose in patients with diabetes, but the strength of this association varies considerably across patients. The current daily diary study of 129 patients with type 2 diabetes examined whether individual differences in emotional stress reactivity were associated with fasting blood glucose and whether emotional support provided by spouses moderated this association. Greater stress reactivity was related to greater variability in patients' fasting glucose readings and, among patients with less support, to higher fasting glucose levels. Investigating individual differences in emotional stress reactivity may help to clarify the role of stress in blood glucose control.

Clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with diabetes-related distress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…The presence of a life partner may influence the daily self-care regime of patients, as they may be subjected to more supervision and be warned frequently by their partner about the need to pay attention to their disease, thus generating higher levels of diabetes-related distress. (27) It is also possible that partners may deal with the DM2 patient's health condition in a more caring way, and try to hide or disguise their concerns about the progress of the patient's disease and his or her condition. This strategy could have a negative impact on self-management of the disease.…”

Family Support and Self-Motivation Influence Dietary Compliance and Glycaemic Control among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Outpatients

“…Most patients felt that their efforts to adhere to dietary counselling have not been reached if family support is lacking. Moreover, stress is related to a greater variability in patients' fasting glucose readings and, among patients with less support (Rook et al 2015).…”

Depression and anxiety after 2 years of follow-up in patients diagnosed with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

“…Besides, the stress reactivity in an individual is associated with metabolic control among patients with type-2 diabetes, with greater variability in fasting glucose seen in patients with higher stress reactivity, and with increased fasting glucose among patients also experiencing less support from spouses (Rook et al, 2015). Furthermore, diabetes is associated not only with micro- and macrovascular complications but also with a slight cognitive decline (Biessels et al, 2014).…”