Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diabetes is often associated with a significant impact on psychological functioning and well-being. Effective prevention and health promotion of persons with diabetes requires a deeper understanding of this problem, which is based on the interaction of psychological and biological processes. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to contribute to the understanding of how subjective cognitive glucose sensitivity (cGS) is related to long-term blood glucose levels (HbA1c) and diabetes-related distress in people with type 1 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of an online study, the relevant variables (cognitive glucose sensitivity [cGS], latest measured HbA1c, diabetes-related distress) were recorded economically using self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: In a group of 354 adults with type 1 diabetes (283 women), we found significant correlations between cGS and HbA1c (r[352] = 0.133, p = 0.006) and diabetes-related distress (r[352] = 0.242, p < 0.001). HbA1c was also significantly correlated with diabetes-related distress (r[352] = 0.223, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that cGS is physiologically determined and related to established diabetes-related measures (HbA1c and diabetes-related stress). Overall, the findings reaffirm a need for intensified research and development of comprehensive care for persons with diabetes, integrating experience and behaviors of the affected person's mind as a substantial part. Ultimately, this could clarify the extent to which the treatment of cGS can have a preventive effect against negative impacts of diabetes on psychological well-being and would, thus, be beneficial to the health promotion of affected individuals.