Differences in stress perception among individuals with diabetes mellitus of different genders during COVID-19 lockdown

Authors

  • María Laura Pomares Juan Pablo II Hospital, CEGYM Medical Center, Corrientes, Argentina
  • Carolina Gómez Martín Comprehensive Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes (CENDIA), Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
  • Francisco Rivera Norberto Quirno University Institute Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Susana Apoloni Austral University Hospital, Pilar, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Pablo Avila Social Work for Public Employees, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina
  • Carolina Muratore Private office, Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina
  • Mariano Forlino IMED San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
  • Luisina Castagnino University Institute Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research "Norberto Quirno", Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Bárbara Piedimonte University Institute Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research "Norberto Quirno", Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Claudio Daniel González Norberto Quirno Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research University Institute, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47196/diab.v57i3.722

Keywords:

perceived stress, gender, diabetes mellitus, lockdown, COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: many studies suggest that there is a difference among genders in perceived stress (PS) in the general population. Descriptions of gender differences in PS during COVID- 19 lockdown in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) are lacking.

Objectives: assess the differences regarding PS and anxiety between genders among people with DM during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Materials and methods: multi-center, cross-sectional observational study. Adults with type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were included. Degree of stress was evaluated by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and anxiety by the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI).

Results: n 2,273 patients (52.5% female). Univariate analysis: BAI and PSS scores were significantly higher in women with diabetes vs. men (BAI 8.9 vs 6.6, p<0.001, PSS 14.3 vs 11.8, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis: female gender was significantly associated with BAI and PSS scores after adjustments to the type of diabetes, age, A1c, educational level, living alone condition and the presence of comorbidities or complications (p<0.001). In multiple linear regression, BAI and PSS scores were significantly associated with female gender a (BAI p<0.0001 and PSS p<0.0013].

Conclusions: in patients with DM female genders was associated with higher scores of anxiety and PS, in a context of isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina.

Author Biographies

María Laura Pomares, Juan Pablo II Hospital, CEGYM Medical Center, Corrientes, Argentina

Medical specialist in Nutrition, specialized in Diabetes, Argentine Diabetes Society (SAD), Endocrinology and Diabetes Service, Diabetological Unit

Carolina Gómez Martín, Comprehensive Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes (CENDIA), Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina

Medical specialist in Internal Medicine, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), specialized in Diabetes, Argentine Diabetes Society (SAD), Co-director of the Comprehensive Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes (CENDIA)

Francisco Rivera, Norberto Quirno University Institute Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Department of Pharmacology

Susana Apoloni, Austral University Hospital, Pilar, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Medical specialist in Internal Medicine, specialized in Diabetes, Argentine Diabetes Society (SAD), Diabetes Service

Pablo Avila, Social Work for Public Employees, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina

Physician specializing in Internal Medicine, specialized in Diabetes, Argentine Diabetes Society (SAD), Chronic Patient Care Program

Carolina Muratore, Private office, Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina

Medical specialist in Internal Medicine, specialized in Diabetes, Argentine Diabetes Society (SAD)

Mariano Forlino, IMED San Luis, San Luis, Argentina

Physician specializing in Internal Medicine, specialized in Diabetes, Argentine Diabetes Society (SAD), Medical Director of IMED San Luis

Claudio Daniel González, Norberto Quirno Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research University Institute, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Professor, Department of Pharmacology

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Published

2023-12-12

How to Cite

Pomares, M. L., Gómez Martín, C., Rivera, F., Apoloni, S., Avila, P., Muratore, C., Forlino, M., Castagnino, L., Piedimonte, B., & González, C. D. (2023). Differences in stress perception among individuals with diabetes mellitus of different genders during COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of the Argentine Society of Diabetes, 57(3). https://doi.org/10.47196/diab.v57i3.722

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Original article

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