Abstract
Keywords. Diabetes mellitus; Anxiety; Glycaemic control
Objectives. Overall, there are 422 million people in the world living with diabetes. According to
statistics reports in 2021 there were 5515 patients with type 1 diabetes and 88933 patients with type 2
diabetes living in Latvia. Since 2011 these numbers have increased by 1454 and 18479, respectively. It has
been proven that mental health is worsened by the presence of chronic illness, and that it affects one’s ability
to control their disease.
The aim of this study was to determine whether there are correlations between glycaemic control and
levels of anxiety.
Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study included adults aged 18 and older with the
diagnosis of diabetes presenting in a clinic or whilst being hospitalized. The evaluation of mental health
status was done by a self-report questionnaire. GAD-7 score was used to determine anxiety levels. Glycaemic
control was estimated by the last reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Descriptive data analysis and
Spearman’s rank correlation were used to interpret the data.
Results. The participants of this study were 21 women (50%) and 21 men (50%) with the mean age
of 58.39 years (± 17.75). 78.6% had type 2 and 19% had type 1 diabetes. The average duration of diabetes
was 10.63 years (± 8.43). Mean HbA1c was 7.90% (± 2.34) and mean score of GAD-7 was 4.23 (± 4.05). A
statistically significant moderately strong and positive correlation was found between HbA1c and GAD-7
score (n = 39; p = 0.001; r = 0.502).
Conclusions. A higher glycated hemoglobin level was associated with a higher level of anxiety. This
indicates that poor glycaemic control may cause more distress in diabetes patients or that anxiety may
inhibit an individual’s ability to control their disease, or both. Further research with a larger sample size
should be done to better evaluate this re lationship.
Objectives. Overall, there are 422 million people in the world living with diabetes. According to
statistics reports in 2021 there were 5515 patients with type 1 diabetes and 88933 patients with type 2
diabetes living in Latvia. Since 2011 these numbers have increased by 1454 and 18479, respectively. It has
been proven that mental health is worsened by the presence of chronic illness, and that it affects one’s ability
to control their disease.
The aim of this study was to determine whether there are correlations between glycaemic control and
levels of anxiety.
Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study included adults aged 18 and older with the
diagnosis of diabetes presenting in a clinic or whilst being hospitalized. The evaluation of mental health
status was done by a self-report questionnaire. GAD-7 score was used to determine anxiety levels. Glycaemic
control was estimated by the last reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Descriptive data analysis and
Spearman’s rank correlation were used to interpret the data.
Results. The participants of this study were 21 women (50%) and 21 men (50%) with the mean age
of 58.39 years (± 17.75). 78.6% had type 2 and 19% had type 1 diabetes. The average duration of diabetes
was 10.63 years (± 8.43). Mean HbA1c was 7.90% (± 2.34) and mean score of GAD-7 was 4.23 (± 4.05). A
statistically significant moderately strong and positive correlation was found between HbA1c and GAD-7
score (n = 39; p = 0.001; r = 0.502).
Conclusions. A higher glycated hemoglobin level was associated with a higher level of anxiety. This
indicates that poor glycaemic control may cause more distress in diabetes patients or that anxiety may
inhibit an individual’s ability to control their disease, or both. Further research with a larger sample size
should be done to better evaluate this re lationship.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 659 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Medicina (Kaunas) |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | Suppl.2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
| Event | RSU Research Week 2023: Research Week 2023 Rīga Stradiņš University - Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia Duration: 27 Mar 2023 → 31 Mar 2023 https://rw2023.rsu.lv/general-information https://rw2023.rsu.lv |
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
