Effect of psychosocial factors on success in a program of self-glucose monitoring.
We examined prospectively the relationship of psychosocial factors to glycemic control in a program of self-glucose monitoring (SGM). Measured intelligence (IQ), educational level, and socioeconomic status (assessed by the Two-Factor Index of Social Position) were determined in 25 patients who were followed during 6 months of self-glucose monitoring. Personality categories, reflecting degrees of psychological disturbance, were assigned using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). None of the measured psychosocial variables correlated significantly with initial Hgb A1 values. In contrast, after 6 months of SGM, Hgb A1 levels correlated significantly with both socioeconomic status (r = 0.42, p less than 0.05) and educational levels (r = -0.42, p less than 0.05). Hemoglobin A1 levels also correlated significantly with the recorded frequency of SGM (r = -0.65, p less than 0.01), a measure of patient compliance. No significant correlation between IQ and Hgb A1 levels was seen, either initially or during follow-up. High A1 values differed significantly among groups classified by MMPI testing. Patients with severe psychological abnormalities had higher (p less than 0.05) mean Hgb A1 levels. We conclude that psychosocial factors, but not measured intelligence, have an important bearing on patient success in a program of SGM.
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012648:Self Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D011934:Reagent Strips