Elevated Glycosylated Albumin in NIDDM is a Function of Recent Everyday Environmental Stress

Objective: To evaluate the association of recent daily environmental stress (daily hassles) with glycemia in NIDDM.

Research Design And Methods: Fifty-five NIDDM patients reported the number and intensity of daily hassles occurring during the past week and concurrently underwent glycemic assessment.

Results: Hassles were generally unassociated with demographic variables, illness duration, treatment regimen, and the presence of complications. Multiple regression analysis indicated that hassles (in both frequency and intensity) were positively associated with recent glycemia (glycosylated albumin [GA]), even after statistically controlling for long-term glycemia (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA(1c)]). The subtypes of hassles having the most potent relationships with GA were work and family/friend-related stressors.

Conclusions: The frequency and perceived impact of everyday minor stress have proximal positive associations with glycemia that do not necessarily reflect chronic hyperglycemia. Stress arising from work and family/friend sources may be particularly relevant.