Basal metabolic rate and risk for diabetes and its complications among 341,790 adults from the UK Biobank
Authors' conclusion
Estimated elevated BMR was strongly positively associated with risk for diabetes and its complications, suggesting to re-evaluate the role of BMR, in addition to BMI, in diabetes research.
Study context
- Population
- Diabetes-free UK Biobank participants aged 55.7 ± 8.1 years
- Participants
- 341,790 participants
- Exposure
- Per SD higher estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR)
- Outcome
- Subsequent diabetes
- Follow-up
- 12 years
Methodological detailsUK Biobank, Cox proportional models, mediation analysis
- UK Biobank
- Cox proportional models
- Mediation analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Diabetes per SD higher estimated BMR
Hazard ratio (95% CI)
Men
1.54(1.49–1.59)
Women
1.56(1.49–1.62)
Per SD higher estimated BMR, as printed
- Diabetes cases accrued
- 4,626
- Increase in diabetes risk per SD higher estimated BMR
- 55%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Estimated BMR · baseline
| Outcome | HR (CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac complications among those with diabetes, per SD higher estimated BMRMen | 1.71 (1.55–1.89) | |
| Cardiac complications among those with diabetes, per SD higher estimated BMRWomen | 1.78 (1.56–2.03) | |
| Diabetic coma, ketoacidosis and glycaemic disturbances, per SD higher estimated BMRMen | 1.18 (0.99–1.42) | |
| Diabetic coma, ketoacidosis and glycaemic disturbances, per SD higher estimated BMRWomen | 1.35 (1.21–1.50) | |
| Stroke, per SD higher estimated BMRMen | 1.27 (1.08–1.50) | |
| Stroke, per SD higher estimated BMRWomen | 1.41 (1.14–1.76) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Mediation by vascular-metabolic biomarkers
- HbA1c, TG, HDL-C, Cystatin-C and C-reactive protein explained share of associations
- 10-30%
Original publication
Basal metabolic rate and risk for diabetes and its complications among 341,790 adults from the UK Biobank. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 9 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →