Workplace Stress and The Impacts on Blood Sugar Levels in Individuals with Diabetes

The study investigated the effects of stress on glucose, cholesterol, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in individuals with diabetes. Thirteen volunteers from the POLAC community participated, with six meeting the inclusion criteria. Participants underwent testing over three phases: before exams (pre-stress), during exams (stress), and after exams (post-stress), each lasting two weeks. Glucose and blood pressure were measured on alternate days, while cholesterol and weight were measured weekly. All the measured parameters were taken in the morning after an overnight fast of at least ten hours. Results showed glucose levels generally peaked during stress, with some variations. Total cholesterol also peaked during or after stress for half the participants, and MAP peaked during stress in one-third of participants. Significant changes (P<0.05) were observed mainly in glucose levels, indicating that stress heavily impacts glucose regulation, and cholesterol levels can remain elevated even after stress subsides. The findings highlight the considerable impact of stress on health parameters in individuals with diabetes. The study interprets this finding as challenging to maintain stable glucose levels in diabetic individuals under stress, emphasizing strict compliance