Greater glycemic variability linked to negative moods, lower quality of life
Women with greater glycemic fluctuations have lower quality of life and negative moods, according to a study published in the journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.
Researchers from Loyola University Chicago and other institutions followed 23 women with type 2 diabetes. The women wore a continuous glucose monitoring system for 72 hours and answered questionnaires.
The questionnaires asked participants questions about their quality of life and mood, covering topics such as depression, anxiety and anger.
Measurements gathered from the glucose monitor included glycemic control shown by glycated hemoglobin and 24-hour mean glucose. Researchers also measured glycemic variability shown by 24-hour standard deviation of the glucose readings, continuous overall net glycemic action, and Fourier statistical models to generate smoothed curves to assess rate of change defined as “energy.”
The researchers found that the 24-hour standard deviation of the glucose readings and the continuous overall net glycemic action measures were significantly associated with health-related quality of life after adjusting for weight and age.
Women with diabetes and co-morbid depression also had higher anxiety, more anger, and lower quality of life than those without depression.
Fourier models indicated that certain energy components were significantly associated with depression, trait anxiety, and overall quality of life, according to the paper.
Correlation between anxiety and glucose levels
Finally, the participants with higher trait anxiety tended to have steeper glucose excursions.
The impact of glycemic variability on mood and quality of life has not been studied until now. Past studies have linked poor glycemic control is linked to depression and worse quality of life.
The researchers recommend a larger study in the future to assess the blood glucose fluctuations and how they affect mood and quality of life.
People with diabetes are at greater risk for depression, according to the American Diabetes Association. Poor diabetes control can cause symptoms that look like depression as well.
Common symptoms of depression include loss of pleasure, change in sleep patterns, early to rise, change in appetite, trouble concentrating, loss of energy, nervousness, guilt, morning sadness, and suidical thoughts.
Source: Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, American Diabetes Association
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...