Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes
Authors' conclusion
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.
Study context
- Population
- Adults (aged ≥16 years) in the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey or the Danish National Health Survey, 2000–2017
- Participants
- 465,290 adults
- Exposure
- Loneliness and risk of T2D
- Outcome
- Incident T2D (register-based algorithm, hospital and general practice)
- Follow-up
- Mean 6.3 years
Methodological detailspopulation-based surveys, register-based outcome ascertainment
- Population-based surveys
- Register-based outcome ascertainment
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
T2D
Increased risk
14%
95% CI 1.09–1.20
Lonely once in a while
Increased risk
24%
95% CI 1.14–1.34
Lonely often
- Developed T2D (all participants)
- 13 771 (3%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
T2D in lonely often, without a mental disorder
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lonely oftenWithout a mental disorder | 1.21 (1.10–1.34) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
T2D in lonely often, with a mental disorder
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lonely oftenWith a mental disorder | 1.07 (0.93–1.23) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
- T2D in lonely often, without a mental disorder: association stronger among individuals without a mental disorder
Original publication
Loneliness and the risk of type 2 diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. Published 12 March 2024. doi:10.
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