Trends in domestic and international research on blood glucose variability and psychiatric symptoms

• Published in: Comprehensive Medicine Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 25 - 30
• Main Authors: Ohira, Tetsuya, Mizoguchi, Toru, Aoyama, Naoki, Jinnouchi, Yoh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: International Foundation of Comprehensive Medicine 25.03.2022; 公益財団法人 国際全人医療研究所
• Subjects: autonomic nervous function; glucose tolerance test; hypoglycemia; insulin; psychiatric symptoms; インスリン; 低血糖; 精神症状; 糖負荷試験; 自律神経機能
• ISSN: 1341-7150; 2434-687X
• DOI: 10.32183/ifcm.20.1_25

Psychosocial stress is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, persistent diabetes mellitus can cause symptoms of depression, and rapid blood glucose variability can induce psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and irritability. We reviewed studies on the association between blood glucose variability and psychiatric symptoms reported in Japan and overseas, and extracted issues from the studies. In addition to diabetes being a risk factor in psychiatric symptoms, it has been suggested that hypoglycemia may also cause psychiatric symptoms. Results of 5-hour glucose tolerance test indicate that hypoglycemia and hypoglycemic symptoms may occur at a relatively high frequency even in healthy subjects. However, symptoms may not be explained by hypoglycemia alone. They may be related to changes in glycemic variability, insulin secretion, and autonomic nervous function. Although continuous glucose monitoring （CGM） is useful in examining the relationship between blood glucose variability in real life and psychiatric symptoms, there are few studies reporting a correlation between the results of 5-hour glucose tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring, and psychiatric symptoms. It is, therefore, necessary to examine these associations in a large number of cases in the future to establish evidence.