Effect of perceived stress, concern about hypoglycaemia and level of knowledge of management of the disease on glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Aims And Objectives: To evaluate perceived stress, concern about hypoglycaemia and the level of knowledge of management of the disease in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their relationship with glycaemic control, gender and age.

Background: Perceived stress and concern about hypoglycaemia are significant obstacles to achieving adequate glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and notably influence management of the disease itself.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 193 adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Study quality was scored using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cohort studies. Glycaemic control was evaluated by number and type of hypoglycaemic event and glycosylated haemoglobin. Questionnaires about hypoglycaemia concern (HFS II), perceived stress (PSS), unrecognised hypoglycaemia (Clarke Test) and level of knowledge of the disease were completed.

Results: Perceived stress was significantly associated with glycosylated haemoglobin (p < 0.001) and concern about hypoglycaemia (p < 0.037). With respect to level of knowledge, we observed that an advanced level was associated with lower glycosylated haemoglobin (p < 0.001), number (p < 0.001) and type (p < 0.001) of hypoglycaemic episode, and less perceived stress (p = 0.006). In addition, age was negatively correlated with perceived stress (p < 0.030) and positively correlated with the number of unrecognised hypoglycaemic episodes (p < 0.002), which was associated, in turn, with a higher number of daily glycaemia tests (p < 0.037) and concern about hypoglycaemia (p < 0.006).

Conclusion: In type 1 diabetes mellitus, perceived stress can negatively influence glycaemic control and concern about hypoglycaemia, and level of knowledge about the condition has a bearing on glycosylated haemoglobin levels, perceived stress and number and type of hypoglycaemic events. In addition, higher age is associated with more frequent unrecognised hypoglycaemic events.

Relevance To Clinical Practice: It is essential to identify and address the psychological needs of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with the aim of achieving an adequate management of the disease itself and generating a change in future intervention strategies.