Volume 1 number 1 Summer 2003
Special issue for the abstracts of the 7th Pan Arab Conference on Diabetes
PACD7 , 25 – 28 March 2003 Cairo

Abstract Number : 89
STUDY OF THE PSYCHO-SOCIAL EFFECTS
OF WORK ENVIRONMENT ON THE CONTROL
OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Sayed Hussien Seoudi , Egypt

An epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate the relation between  environmental work stress and metabolic control in adult with diabetes,  and to explore the interactions between the individual's adaptation and 
coping with diabetes. 
A total of 150 diabetic adults completed a work  environmental stress questionnaire. Metabolic control assessed by  measuring fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial blood glucose (PPBG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile including serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides (S.TG), serum low-density  lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) and serum high density lipoprotein  cholesterol (HDL -C). Demographic data and evidence of complications were gathered from the charts. Results showed that the mean level of HbA1c was significantly higher with the groups of work stress variables including low decision latitude, high demand context, high perceived strain of responsibility and disturbed relation at work, also FBG and PPBG were significantly associated with the group of high perceived strain of responsibility at work. As regard lipid profile, the serum total cholesterol was significantly higher with the group of high perceived stain at work than the opposite group. Also S.TG, was positively associated with the group of high demand context and high perceived strain at work. Concerning psycho-social adaptation, the interaction with diabetes and work-life was 
associated with significant higher mean level of S.TG., also there was positive association between appraisal diabetes scale (ADS) and LDL-C. There was significant increase in the mean level of LDL-C with the group of high 
perceived strain of responsibility at work. As regard body mass index (BMI), there was significant difference with the group of accommodation at work to comply. As regard complications of diabetes, higher values of diabetic 
nephropathy was found with group of low dicision latitude, also hyperglycemic coma was associated positively with low decision latitude and disturbed relation at work. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure do 
not related to either work stress or psycho-social adaptation variables.
In conclusion, there was significant relation between work environment stress (WES) factors and glycemic control variables, so HbA1c may be a sensitive measure of job strain. Also, S.TG and serum cholesterol were positively higher with some groups of WES factors. As regards psycho-social adaptation variable, ADS related to mean level of LDL-C and interaction with diabetes and work-life related to S.TG. and BMI. Concerning complications, nephropathy and hyperglycemia was related positively with some WES factors.

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