Psychosocial factors and admission for poor glycaemic control: a study of psychological and social factors in poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetic patients.

Psychological and social factors were investigated in 89 poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetic admissions matched with out-patient controls. Those admitted were found to suffer greater current and past psychiatric morbidity, to report more social problems and chronic difficulties and to experience more life events in the six months before interview. The occurrence of significantly more independent events and chronic difficulties among admissions suggests that social stress can lead to poor control. These results emphasize the importance of global assessment of diabetic admissions to include psychological and social aspects as well as medical status.