Ashish Vilas Saboo, Tejaswini Lalchand Rahule
BACKGROUND There is significant evidence that stress, whether physical or mental, might have metabolic consequences in individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus, in terms of both its onset and exacerbation. The aim of the study was to study the effect of stress on the control of type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was a cross-sectional study on patients who were diagnosed with type-2 DM. The stress levels of the patients were assessed with Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and their HbA1c levels were measured using appropriate lab methods. Based on the data obtained, a statistical relationship was framed between the stress levels of the patients and the degree of control of diabetes mellitus. RESULTS A total of 94 patients were enrolled in the study. After checking HbA1c levels at regular intervals, it was found that a total of 32 (34.04%) of 94 patients had poor glycaemic control. Also, after administering PSS, total 18 (19.14%) of 94 patients were found to have high stress. It seemed that HbA1c levels were a direct reflection of the stress levels. CONCLUSION Stress plays a key role in the causation as well as outcome of type-2 DM. Stress management along with education, dietary and lifestyle changes, and pharmacotherapy should be taken as holistic treatment approach for full control of diabetes mellitus.
