Psychosocial Factors in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk

• Published in: Current cardiology reports Vol. 18; no. 10; p. 95
• Main Authors: Hackett, Ruth A., Steptoe, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Cardiology; Comorbidity; Depression - complications; Depression - physiopathology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - psychology; Diabetic Angiopathies - etiology; Diabetic Angiopathies - physiopathology; Diabetic Angiopathies - psychology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Personality; Psychological Aspects of Cardiovascular Diseases (A Steptoe; Psychological Aspects of Cardiovascular Diseases (A Steptoe, Section Editor); Risk Factors; Section Editor; Stress, Psychological - complications; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology; Topical Collection on Psychological Aspects of Cardiovascular Diseases; Type 2 diabetes; Cardiovascular disease; Depression; Psychosocial factors; Stress
• ISSN: 1523-3782; 1534-3170
• DOI: 10.1007/s11886-016-0771-4

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that is increasing in prevalence globally. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes, and lifestyle and clinical risk factors do not fully account for the link between the conditions. This article provides an overview of the evidence concerning the role of psychosocial stress factors in diabetes risk, as well as in cardiovascular complications in people with existing diabetes. Several types of psychosocial factors are discussed including depression, other types of emotional distress, exposure to stressful conditions, and personality traits. The potential behavioral and biological pathways linking psychosocial factors to diabetes are presented and implications for patient care are highlighted.