Psychosocial and Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Glycated Hemoglobin in Nondiabetic Middle-Aged Men and Women

The authors tested associations between glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ; an index of glucose homeostasis and an indicator of cardiovascular disease risk in nondiabetic populations) and socioeconomic status (defined by grade of employment) and psychosocial factors in 234 British civil servants. HbA 1c concentration was inversely related to grade of employment. Higher HbA 1c was associated with greater waist-hip ratio, lower control at work, lower internal locus of control, lower active coping, and lower social support. Control at work, internal and chance locus of control, and active coping were also related to socioeconomic status. The association of social support but not other psychosocial factors with HbA 1c was independent of socioeconomic status. HbA 1c may complement measures of the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in studies of psychosocial factors in cardiovascular disease risk.