[Separation during inpatient psychotherapy and its impact on the regulation of blood glucose in a patient with Brittle Diabetes].
OBJECTIVE
During the inpatient psychotherapy of a 21-year-old male patient with Brittle Diabetes, psychic reactions and changes of blood glucose after separation were studied.


METHODS
The patient was interviewed using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Specific attachment-related stress factors were elaborated. During the course of therapy, blood glucose, body symptoms and mood ratings were recorded daily and statistically evaluated by time series analysis. The statistical analysis allowed testing of critical instances (separation) and psychic determinants of blood glucose control.


RESULTS
Significant predictors for the average blood glucose were as follows: the therapist's vacation (p < 0.02) and the announcement of discharge from the hospital (p < 0.01). A significant predictor for the daily blood glucose variation was mood (p < 0.01); the trend of the blood glucose variation was negative (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Toward the end of the treatment the blood glucose was stabilized. This result suggests the benefit of psychotherapy for these patients. Further empirical studies are necessary to confirm the findings.
Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 33, D-35392 Giessen, Germany. Wolfgang.Milch@psycho.med.uni-giessen.de
Wolfgang
W
Milch
Frank
F
Leweke
Burkhard
B
Brosig
Christian
C
Reimer
D000328:Adult; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010343:Patient Admission; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin