Emotional maladjustment, physical malaise and diabetic control in young Chinese patients with diabetes

Abstract

We assessed a total of 93 diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinic at Queen Mary Hospital in late 1991 and followed them up in early 1994. The subjects studied were aged from 14 to 45 years, comprising 39 males and 54 females. Measures of psychological adjustment together with subjective complaints of somatic malaise were administered. Subjects' diabetic control was assessed through their HbA1c levels and presence of any diabetic-related complications. Our findings indicate that in the Hong Kong Chinese population, high risk factors leading to poor diabetic control should be identified through emotional maladjustments as well as physical complaints/malaise. Measures of compliance, psychological maladjustment (e.g. low self-esteem, pervasive depressive symptoms, increased physical complaints), and glucose control are highly correlated with each other. Baseline glucose control, early signs of psychological maladjustment and demographic moderator variables are predictive of metabolic control over time. The need for early identification of the vicious feedback cycle is highlighted. © Journals Oxford Ltd.