Panic attacks can be a complicating factor in diabetes

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

People with diabetes who have panic attacks also have more health complications and worse quality of life.
Previous work by researchers with Group Health Co-operative in Seattle has shown that people with diabetes who suffer from depression also have more poorly controlled blood glucose. They have now extended this study to look at the role panic disorder may play in diabetes. Panic disorder and depression often co-exist.

A group of 4,285 patients with diabetes were questioned about panic or fear, which revealed 4.4 per cent experienced some form of panic disorder. And around half of these also had symptoms of depression. Panic disorder was linked to poorer glucose control and more diabetic symptoms. The researchers think that panic disorder may interfere with the individual's ability to manage their diabetes. They suggest that co-existence of psychiatric problems like panic disorder should be suspected when diabetes is not well controlled.

Source
General Hospital Psychiatry November 2006 Volume 28 pages 475-481

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