The consequences of anxious temperament for disease detection, self-management behavior, and quality of life in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to examine the consequences of anxious temperament for disease detection, self-management behavior, and quality of life in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).


METHODS
A sample of 204 individuals newly diagnosed with T2DM completed measures of anxious temperament, self-management behavior, and quality of life; participants also supplied a blood sample for glycated hemoglobin (A1C) analysis at initial diagnosis (baseline) and at 6-month follow-up (as indicators of disease progression at diagnosis and achieved glycemic control, respectively).


RESULTS
Anxious temperament was inversely associated with A1C at both baseline and at 6-month follow-up. However, the association between anxious temperament and A1C at follow-up was mostly accounted for by the association between anxious temperament and baseline A1C and not by the uptake of self-management behaviors after diagnosis. Higher levels of anxious temperament were also associated with an increased likelihood of having been diagnosed with a prediabetic condition but were associated with poorer quality of life at both time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Anxious temperament appears to be a double-edged sword that may facilitate early detection but not subsequent behavioral or emotional adjustment to T2DM.
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. pahall@healthy.uwaterloo.ca
Peter A
PA
Hall
Gary M
GM
Rodin
T Michael
TM
Vallis
Bruce A
BA
Perkins
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human