Pre-existing diabetics: Relationship between glycemic control and emotional status in pregnancy

Abstract

Due to the paucity of information regarding the emotional status of pregnant diabetic women, we sought to determine the impact of pre-existing diabetes on the relation between the level of glycemic control and emotional well-being during pregnancy. English-speaking women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (N = 100) and nondiabetic controls (N = 132) were compared for maternal characteristics and test results on the Profile of Mood States-Bipolar form. It is a 72-item, self-administered Likert scale measuring six bipolar subjective mood states representing both positive and negative aspects. Patients were stratified according to level of glycemic control. The number of glucose determinations were categorized as: mild and severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and normoglycemia. An Average Mood Disturbance score was calculated to measure the level of association between the total psychological profile and categories of glucose determinations. In two of the six subscales (hostility and anxiety) of the Profile of Mood States, significantly lower scores indicating greater hostility and anxiety were found in the diabetic group. The level of glycemic control was not adversely associated with the emotional state of pre-existing diabetic pregnant women. The psychological profile was not associated with the severity of the disease as reflected by the diabetes classification. Pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes display greater anxiety and hostility in comparison to nondiabetic women with no association to level of glycemic control. This issue should be addressed in the medical and psychosocial health assessment of these women.

Key Words:

• pre-existing diabetes
• emotional adjustment
• glycemic control