Original scientific paper
Relationship between Psychopathological Factors and Metabolic Control in Children and Adolescents with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes mellitus
Milena Skočić
Darko Marčinko
Vlasta Rudan
Andrea Ražić
Mario Stipčević
Abstract
This paper provides a critical overview of the literature on the relationship between psychological/psychopathological
factors and metabolic control in children and adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We discuss
studies on individual and family psychopathological factors, as well as reports on the effects of psychoeducational/psychotherapeutic
interventions on glycemic control in patients with IDDM aged <18 years. The analysis of the literature
indicates that while evidence on the relationship between individual factors and metabolic control is still mixed, in part
due to methodological issues, results from family studies do suggest that patients in dysfunctional families and children
of parents with high degrees of psychopathology present with poor glycemic control. As for the effects of psychoeducational/
psychotherapeutic interventions, limited but increasing evidence shows that they can actually contribute to improve
metabolic control. We finally suggest some future underexplored avenues of research in the field, including studies
on the psychopathological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the above mentioned findings. All this body of
research should provide a strong empirical rationale for allocating resources in order to include psychiatrists within the
interdisciplinary diabetes health care team.
Keywords
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; children; adolescents; psychological and psychopathological factors; metabolic control
Hrčak ID:
84800
URI
Publication date:
10.7.2012.
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