Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes

Introduction The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally. Recent research suggests that loneliness could be a potential risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes and the modifying effect of mental di...

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Main Authors: Sara Fokdal Lehn, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Trine Allerslev Horsbøl, Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen, Siri Rosenkilde, Sofie Have Hoffmann, Anne Bonde Thorsted, Katrine Rich Madsen, Peter Bindslev Iversen, Marie Stjerne Grønkjær
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-04-01
Series:BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care
Online Access:https://drc.bmj.com/content/12/2/e003934.full
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author Sara Fokdal Lehn
Lau Caspar Thygesen
Trine Allerslev Horsbøl
Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen
Siri Rosenkilde
Sofie Have Hoffmann
Anne Bonde Thorsted
Katrine Rich Madsen
Peter Bindslev Iversen
Marie Stjerne Grønkjær
author_facet Sara Fokdal Lehn
Lau Caspar Thygesen
Trine Allerslev Horsbøl
Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen
Siri Rosenkilde
Sofie Have Hoffmann
Anne Bonde Thorsted
Katrine Rich Madsen
Peter Bindslev Iversen
Marie Stjerne Grønkjær
author_sort Sara Fokdal Lehn
collection DOAJ
description Introduction The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally. Recent research suggests that loneliness could be a potential risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes and the modifying effect of mental disorders.Research design and methods We conducted a prospective study including 465 290 adults (aged ≥16 years) who participated in either the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey or the Danish National Health Survey between 2000 and 2017. Loneliness was based on self-report, while type 2 diabetes was measured using an algorithm combining several health registers including type 2 diabetes patients treated both within the hospital sector and general practice. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).Results During a mean follow-up time of 6.3 years, 13 771 individuals (3%) developed type 2 diabetes. Feeling lonely once in a while was associated with a 14% increased risk of type 2 diabetes (95% CI 1.09 to 1.20), while feeling lonely often was associated with a 24% increased risk (95% CI 1.14 to 1.34), independent of sociodemographic factors and body mass index. The association was stronger among individuals without a mental disorder (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.34 among those feeling lonely often) compared with those with a mental disorder (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.23).Conclusions Loneliness independently increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. The effect was more pronounced in individuals without a mental disorder, as having a mental disorder itself likely increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing loneliness as a modifiable risk factor in preventing type 2 diabetes.
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spelling doaj-art-f7d325015c4245c1948e5118194a1ee72024-12-29T17:00:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care2052-48972024-04-0112210.1136/bmjdrc-2023-003934Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetesSara Fokdal Lehn0Lau Caspar Thygesen1Trine Allerslev Horsbøl2Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen3Siri Rosenkilde4Sofie Have Hoffmann5Anne Bonde Thorsted6Katrine Rich Madsen7Peter Bindslev Iversen8Marie Stjerne Grønkjær9National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkSteno Diabetes Center Sjaelland, Holbæk, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkSteno Diabetes Center Sjaelland, Holbæk, DenmarkCenter for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, DenmarkIntroduction The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally. Recent research suggests that loneliness could be a potential risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes and the modifying effect of mental disorders.Research design and methods We conducted a prospective study including 465 290 adults (aged ≥16 years) who participated in either the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey or the Danish National Health Survey between 2000 and 2017. Loneliness was based on self-report, while type 2 diabetes was measured using an algorithm combining several health registers including type 2 diabetes patients treated both within the hospital sector and general practice. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).Results During a mean follow-up time of 6.3 years, 13 771 individuals (3%) developed type 2 diabetes. Feeling lonely once in a while was associated with a 14% increased risk of type 2 diabetes (95% CI 1.09 to 1.20), while feeling lonely often was associated with a 24% increased risk (95% CI 1.14 to 1.34), independent of sociodemographic factors and body mass index. The association was stronger among individuals without a mental disorder (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.34 among those feeling lonely often) compared with those with a mental disorder (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.23).Conclusions Loneliness independently increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. The effect was more pronounced in individuals without a mental disorder, as having a mental disorder itself likely increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing loneliness as a modifiable risk factor in preventing type 2 diabetes.https://drc.bmj.com/content/12/2/e003934.full
spellingShingle Sara Fokdal Lehn
Lau Caspar Thygesen
Trine Allerslev Horsbøl
Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen
Siri Rosenkilde
Sofie Have Hoffmann
Anne Bonde Thorsted
Katrine Rich Madsen
Peter Bindslev Iversen
Marie Stjerne Grønkjær
Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care
title Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
title_full Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
title_fullStr Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
title_full_unstemmed Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
title_short Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
title_sort loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
url https://drc.bmj.com/content/12/2/e003934.full
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