The nature of psychological changes in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus after learning self-control

Abstract

Time course of psychological status of diabetics during automonitoring training is analyzed. Seventeen patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus aged 15-43 years with disease standing of 1-17 years were followed up, who were never trained automonitoring before. Two control groups were not trained, which helped assess the results from different viewpoints. The levels of depression, anxiety, energy, positive sensations, total well-being, satisfaction with treatment, subjective perception of hypoglycemic reactions, and subjective perception of hyperglycaemia were assessed using special questionnaires. Compensation of diabetes was improved both in the main and control groups. Psychological status of diabetics improved after training: levels of depression and anxiety decreased, levels of energy, psychological well-being, and general psychological status increased (p<0.05). In the controls all the above parameters were unchanged over the period of hospitalization. The incidence of subjective perception of hyperglycaemia decreased in trained patients (p<0.05) but not in the controls. The data indicate that the program of diabetic training can be recommended as a method for improving the efficacy of treatment as regards both metabolism compensation and improvement of the psychological status of patients.