Evidence of the role of psychosocial factors in diabetes mellitus: a review

A framework for evaluating the role of psychosocial issues in illness in general is reviewed and the evidence that demonstrates the importance of these issues in diabetes is examined.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a very prevalent illness that produces a variety of stresses for the individual patient, but the role of psychosocial factors in this illness is frequently minimized in the teaching of physicians and the care of patients. The authors review a framework for evaluating the role of psychosocial issues in illness in general and examine the evidence that demonstrates the importance of these issues in diabetes.