Daily Life Stress Linked to Increased Glucose Levels in Individuals with Insulin Resistance

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Diabetologia has shed new light on the relationship between daily life stress and glucose levels in individuals with insulin resistance. Researchers from Goethe-University Frankfurt conducted a real-world assessment of daily life stress and its effects on blood glucose levels in 116 participants with insulin resistance and 54 control participants. The study found a significant positive effect of stress on blood glucose levels in individuals with insulin resistance, but not in control participants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 116 participants with insulin resistance and 54 control participants, aged 18-78 years.
  • Insulin resistance was defined by a HOMA-IR index above 2.5.
  • Participants completed three standardized questionnaires to assess their affective state, and ambulatory assessment was used to evaluate daily life stress and affect for 3 days.
  • Continuous glucose monitoring was conducted for 7 days to measure blood glucose levels.
  • The study found a significant positive effect of stress on blood glucose levels in individuals with insulin resistance, but not in control participants.
  • Perceived daily stress was not different between individuals with insulin resistance and control participants.
  • Stress levels predicted negative affect in both individuals with insulin resistance and control participants.
  • The study suggests that daily life stress may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in individuals with insulin resistance.

Statistics:

  • 116 participants with insulin resistance participated in the study.
  • 54 control participants were included in the study.
  • The study found a significant positive effect of stress on blood glucose levels in 62 individuals with insulin resistance (p=0.005).
  • 54 control participants did not show a significant effect of stress on blood glucose levels.
  • The study used ambulatory assessment to evaluate daily life stress and affect for 3 days.

Sources:

  • Diabetologia. "Daily life stress is linked to increased glucose levels in individuals with insulin resistance: a real-world assessment." Diabetologia, 2025.
  • Goethe-University Frankfurt. Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy.
  • Hessisches Ministerium fur Wissenschaft und Kunst.
  • JTC 2022 Era PerMed.
  • Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung.
  • Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
  • Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.
  • Abbott Diabetes Care.
  • Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitat, Frankfurt am Main.
  • Springer. "Diabetologia." www.springer.com; www.springerlink.com/content/0012-186x/
  • NewsRx. "New Type 2 Diabetes Findings from Goethe-University Frankfurt Discussed (Daily life stress is linked to increased glucose levels in individuals with insulin resistance: a real-world assessment)." Health & Medicine Week, October 31, 2025; p 346.