Roger E Henriksen1, Roy M Nilsen2, Ragnhild B Strandberg2. 1. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway. reh@hvl.no. 2. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of death globally and its incidence has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Recent research suggests that loneliness is a possible risk factor for type 2 diabetes. This 20 year follow-up study examined whether loneliness is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. As both loneliness and type 2 diabetes have been linked to depression and sleep problems, we also investigated whether any association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes is mediated by symptoms of depression and insomnia. METHODS: We used data from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT study), a large longitudinal health study based on a population from central Norway (n=24,024). Self-reports of loneliness (HUNT2 survey, 1995-1997) and data on HbA1c levels (HUNT4 survey, 2017-2019) were analysed to evaluate the associations between loneliness and incidence of type 2 diabetes. Associations were reported as ORs with 95% CIs, adjusted for sex, age and education. We further investigated the role of depression and insomnia as potential mediating factors. RESULTS: During the 20 year follow-up period, 4.9% of the study participants developed type 2 diabetes. Various degrees of feeling lonely were reported by 12.6% of the participants. Individuals who felt most lonely had a twofold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes relative to those who did not feel lonely (adjusted OR 2.19 [95% CI 1.16, 4.15]). The effect of loneliness on type 2 diabetes was weakly mediated by one subtype of insomnia but not by symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS/ INTERPRETATION: This study suggests that loneliness may be one factor that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes; however, there is no strong support that the effect of loneliness on type 2 diabetes is mediated by depression or insomnia. We recommend that loneliness should be included in clinical guidelines on consultations and interventions related to type 2 diabetes.
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of death globally and its incidence has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Recent research suggests that loneliness is a possible risk factor for type 2 diabetes. This 20 year follow-up study examined whether loneliness is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. As both loneliness and type 2 diabetes have been linked to depression and sleep problems, we also investigated whether any association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes is mediated by symptoms of depression and insomnia. METHODS: We used data from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT study), a large longitudinal health study based on a population from central Norway (n=24,024). Self-reports of loneliness (HUNT2 survey, 1995-1997) and data on HbA1c levels (HUNT4 survey, 2017-2019) were analysed to evaluate the associations between loneliness and incidence of type 2 diabetes. Associations were reported as ORs with 95% CIs, adjusted for sex, age and education. We further investigated the role of depression and insomnia as potential mediating factors. RESULTS: During the 20 year follow-up period, 4.9% of the study participants developed type 2 diabetes. Various degrees of feeling lonely were reported by 12.6% of the participants. Individuals who felt most lonely had a twofold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes relative to those who did not feel lonely (adjusted OR 2.19 [95% CI 1.16, 4.15]). The effect of loneliness on type 2 diabetes was weakly mediated by one subtype of insomnia but not by symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS/ INTERPRETATION: This study suggests that loneliness may be one factor that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes; however, there is no strong support that the effect of loneliness on type 2 diabetes is mediated by depression or insomnia. We recommend that loneliness should be included in clinical guidelines on consultations and interventions related to type 2 diabetes.
Authors: Samantha A Foti; Tasneem Khambaty; Orit Birnbaum-Weitzman; William Arguelles; Frank Penedo; Rebeca A Espinoza Giacinto; Angela P Gutierrez; Linda C Gallo; Aida L Giachello; Neil Schneiderman; Maria M Llabre Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2020-04
Authors: Julie Christiansen; Rikke Lund; Pamela Qualter; Christina Maar Andersen; Susanne S Pedersen; Mathias Lasgaard Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2021-03-20
Authors: Britta Hitze; Christian Hubold; Regina van Dyken; Kristin Schlichting; Hendrik Lehnert; Sonja Entringer; Achim Peters Journal: Front Neuroenergetics Date: 2010-06-09