Psychological factors involved in metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a chronic metabolic disease with important repercussions in the life of the patients who suffer it. Its metabolic control is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, which depends on physiological, economic, social and psychological factors. The objective of this study was to determine the association between psychological factors and metabolic control of patients with DM2.

Materials and methods

The methodological approach was descriptive cross-sectional, with analysis of cases and controls, in a group of 60 participants with diagnosis of DM2, 30 with controlled diabetes (DC) and 30 with uncontrolled diabetes (DNC); defined by the serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin.

Results

Correlational analysis was performed using the Spearman test, to establish the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin and psychological variables, showing significant correlations of <0.01 for somatic symptoms and <0.05 for depression and family support, for the group with DNC.

Discussion

These results suggest that there is a relationship between psychological factors and metabolic control. However, from the clinical point of view, the importance of taking into account depression and somatic symptoms, as comorbid variables, which influence an adequate metabolic control and the decrease of morbidity and mortality in this group of patients is highlighted.