Perceived Psychosocial Stress and Glucose Intolerance among Pregnant Hispanic Women

Citation

Silveira, Marushka L.; Whitcomb, Brian W.; Pekow, Penelope S.; Braun, Barry; Markenson, Glenn R.; Dole, Nancy; Manson, JoAnn E.; Solomon, Caren Grossbard; Carbone, Elena T.; & Chasan-Taber, Lisa (2014). Perceived Psychosocial Stress and Glucose Intolerance among Pregnant Hispanic Women. Diabetes & Metabolism, 40(6), 466-475. PMCID: PMC4810008

Abstract

Aim: Prior literature suggests a positive association between psychosocial stress and the risk of diabetes in non-pregnant populations, but studies during pregnancy are sparse. We evaluated the relationship between stress and glucose intolerance among 1115 Hispanic (predominantly Puerto Rican) prenatal care patients in Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort study in Western Massachusetts (2006–2011).
Methods: Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) was administered in early (mean = 12.3 weeks gestation; range 4.1–18 weeks) and mid- (mean = 21.3 weeks gestation; range 18.1–26 weeks) pregnancy. Participants were classified as having a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, and abnormal glucose tolerance, based on the degree of abnormality on glucose tolerance testing between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.
Results: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, and abnormal glucose tolerance was 4.1%, 7.2%, and 14.5%, respectively. Absolute levels of early or mid-pregnancy stress were not significantly associated with glucose intolerance. However, participants with an increase in stress from early to mid-pregnancy had a 2.6-fold increased odds of gestational diabetes mellitus (95% confidence intervals: 1.0–6.9) as compared to those with no change or a decrease in stress after adjusting for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index. In addition, every one-point increase in stress scores was associated with a 5.5 mg/dL increase in screening glucose level (

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diabet.2014.05.002

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2014

Journal Title

Diabetes & Metabolism

Author(s)

Silveira, Marushka L.
Whitcomb, Brian W.
Pekow, Penelope S.
Braun, Barry
Markenson, Glenn R.
Dole, Nancy
Manson, JoAnn E.
Solomon, Caren Grossbard
Carbone, Elena T.
Chasan-Taber, Lisa

PMCID

PMC4810008

ORCiD

Dole - 0000-0002-2113-7984