The Psychophysiologic Aspects of Stress in Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is the most common endocrine disease found in children, and its reported incidence is increasing. Most investigators now agree that improved diabetic control is effective in decreasing both long and short term complications. The delineation of factors which affect control are, therefore, of importance. Classically, the physician has emphasized insulin dose, presence of infection, diet, and exercise. Emotional factors have long been thought to play a role in diabetes mellitus. The exact nature of this role, however, has been rather elusive and controversial. The authors review this literature, summarize the major viewpoints, and conclude that psychological factors can influence the physiology of the disease. The focus of this paper is the synthesis of recent advances in basic metabolic, endocrinologic, and stress research, relevant to juvenile diabetes, into a psychophysiologic model. The authors discuss future research directions necessary for clarification of the model, as well as its psychological and physiological therapeutic implications.

Stress and Metabolic Control in Diabetes: Psychosomatic Evidence and Evaluation of Methods

“…Christensen (48,49) reported high levels of plasma catecholamines in poorly controlled diabetics when compared to patients with good control. The ratio of epinephrine (primarily a beta adrenergic pancreatic stimulator) to norepinephrine (an alpha adrenergic stimulator) may also be important (50). Postganglionic sympathetic activity produces increased levels of both catecholamines, while the adrenal medulla produces predominantly epinephrine.…”

THE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DAYAK ONION (Eleutherine palmifolia (L) MERR) TUBER ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND INSULIN LEVEL OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RAT

“…diabetes mellitus. In addition, diabetes mellitus can also be influenced by physiological stress and environmental stress, where stress will increase adrenaline then inhibits insulin activity that lead the blocked of lowering blood glucose level 27,28 .…”

Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus: psychosoziale Belastung und Inanspruchnahme von psychosozialen Angeboten

“…Während eine relevante Beeinflussung des Blutzuckers durch stressinduzierte vermehrte Ausschüttung von Stresshormonen noch kontrovers diskutiert wird (vergleiche [33] …”