Elevation of glycosylated hemoglobin in a severe crisis situation--cancer in a close relative

In the present study, 58 relatives of cancer patients (50 women and 8 men, mean age 53) who experienced the grief and tension induced by severe illness in the family were followed. The aim of the study was to examine possible associations between anxiety, depression, and mental exhaustion, on one hand, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlC) level and changes in HbAlC level on the other hand. The relatives were studied approximately once a month during part of the patient's period of illness. On each occasion their psychiatric state was evaluated by means of a standardized observation and interview technique. A blood sample in the nonfasting state was taken for HbAlC assay. The main finding is that a high level of anxiety during the course of a close relative's cancer illness is associated with increasing HbAlC levels (p less than .01).