ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Pathogenesis of type-2 diabetes remains elusive. Various factors including diet, physical exercise, obesity, genetic factors and stress, have been discussed. Among these factors role of stress is still poorly understood in diabetes. Therefore the study was planned to assess effect of stress in diabetic and non-diabetic population in a comparative descriptive manner. METHODS: 1000 diabetic cases (group A) and equal number of healthy individuals were selected as a comparison group (group B). Both groups were examined at 0, 12, 24 months. To assess stress 17 points were examined (factors mainly related to emotions, hurriedness, relaxed status etc.), total 68 points for stress were given; > 30/68 was considered as severe stress. Mental health life style factors like duration of sleep and working mental hours were also examined. EEG and SSR were done at 24 months to assess stress and sympathetic response. RESULTS: There was presence of chronic stress, (> 90% had > 30/68 scoring) more mental work and less sleep duration in group A. EEG showed synchronised v/s desynchronised basal rhythm in group B v/s group A. SSR suggestive of increased sympathetic activity in group A. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that chronic stress leads to increased basal sympathetic activity, resulting from disturbed cortical hypothalamic axis, leading to central insulin resistance and diabetes.
