Sense of coherence, self-esteem, and health locus of control in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus with/without satisfactory metabolic control

Background: Despite intensive training, a few individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) fail to reach the desired metabolic targets.

Aim: To evaluate the association between disease-related emotional and cognitive aspects and metabolic control in subjects with T1DM.

Subjects and methods: Health locus of control (HLOC), sense of coherence (SOC), and self-esteem were assessed in T1DM subjects using validated questionnaires. Sixty-seven consecutive subjects who did not attain the desired HbA1c target (mean HbA1c, 8.3% [67 mmol/mol]) were compared with 30 cases in satisfactory metabolic control (HbA1c levels <7%-53 mmol/mol).

Results: In the overall population, SOC was negatively associated with BMI and average HbA1c, as was the association of self-esteem with HbA1c. Subjects attaining the desired metabolic target were characterized by higher SOC scores, higher Internal HLOC and prevalent Internal vs. Powerful-others HLOC. Compared to subjects in good metabolic control, subjects with unsatisfactory control had lower scores of SOC, Internal HLOC and Self-esteem, with no difference in Powerful others, or Chance HLOC. In the same group, SOC in the upper tertile was significantly associated with self-esteem (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.08-1.69) and PHLOC (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.03-1.49), after adjustment for age, sex, educational level, and comorbidities.

Conclusions: Patients who fail to reach a satisfactory metabolic control tend to rely on significant others, trusting in the physicians' skills or on the efficiency of the health-care system. Strategies aimed at increasing self-efficacy and SOC, based on personal ability, are eagerly awaited to help patients improve diabetes care.