Chronic stress, inflammation, and glucose regulation in U.S. Hispanics from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study

Jessica L. McCurley, Paul J. Mills, Scott C. Roesch, Mercedes Carnethon, Rebeca E. Giacinto, Carmen R. Isasi, Yanping Teng, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Maria M. Llabre, Frank J. Penedo, Neil Schneiderman, Linda C. Gallo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Diabetes prevalence is rising rapidly, and diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanics and other underserved groups. Chronic stress may contribute to diabetes risk, but few studies have examined this relationship in U.S. Hispanics. We examined associations of chronic stress with fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Hispanics without diabetes, and also assessed indirect effects of stress through inflammation (CRP). Participants were 3,923 men and women, aged 18-74, without diabetes, from the four U.S. field centers (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA) of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary study. Participants completed a measure of chronic life stress and a physical exam with oral glucose tolerance test. In a multivariate regression analysis with adjustment for demographic and health covariates, higher chronic stress was related to higher fasting glucose (standardized regression coefficient: β=09, p<.01), postload glucose (β=07, p<.05), and HbA1c levels (β=08, p<.01). However, there was no indirect effect of stress through inflammation. Findings suggest that higher chronic stress is associated with poorer glucose regulation in Hispanics, prior to the onset of a clinical diabetes diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1071-1079
Number of pages9
JournalPsychophysiology
Volume52
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Glucose
  • Hispanic
  • Inflammation
  • Insulin
  • Stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Physiology (medical)
  • Physiology

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