There's no sugar-coating psychological distress and illness perceptions in gestational diabetes mellitus: depression and anxiety are associated with negative illness perceptions.

Abstract

To gain an understanding of how women with gestational diabetes perceive their illness, and whether depressive/anxiety symptoms and/or psychological distress influence these illness perceptions. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 159 pregnant women aged 18-44 attending gestational diabetes clinics. Participants completed a questionnaire, which included the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), Kessler 10-item Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and psychiatric/general health items. Multiple regression was used to explore the relationship between EDS (total and anxiety subscale) scores and BIPQ scores, as well as between K-10 (total and anxiety subscale) scores and BIPQ scores. Regression analysis revealed a positive association between EDS total/anxiety subscale scores and BIPQ total score, as well as between K-10 total/anxiety subscale scores and BIPQ total score, controlling for potentially confounding variables. There was a strong positive correlation between EDS total score and K-10 total score. The most frequently expressed concern about GDM was an adverse effect on their baby's health. A poor diet was the most frequently reported perceived 'cause' of GDM. Greater severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and psychological distress, is associated with more negative illness perceptions of GDM in pregnant women.