Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar levels rise due to insufficient secretion or inactivity of hormones and insulin that lower blood sugar levels. It causes complications such as distal neuropathy and blurred vision. It is known that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with lifestyle or genetic factors, but loneliness also appears to increase the risk.
The research team analyzed data used in a joint study with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Norwegian Regional Health Agency. This data consists of health information on more than 230,000 people from census conducted four times from 1984 to 2019.
Of these, 1,179 of the 24,024 selected from the second survey data were judged to be type 2 diabetic, with HbA1c exceeding 48 mmol/mol, which indicates the rate at which hemoglobin binds to sugar in red blood cells. According to the research team, among those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the proportion of men was 59%, the average age was 48 years old, and the marriage rate was 73%. In addition, 13% of all participants in the census survey found that they complained of loneliness.
The researchers report that higher levels of loneliness were strongly associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes 20 years later. Participants who answered that they felt strongly when asked whether they felt lonely were twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who said they did not feel lonely.
Although a causal link between loneliness and the development of type 2 diabetes has not been established, the research team suggests that social engagement and influence may have a positive impact on health. For example, getting advice or support from friends can have a positive impact on eating, being physically active, and relieving stress. However, less social connections lack this positive effect, and as a result, the researchers speculate that lonely people may be at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The research team says it is important for health care workers to interact openly about patient concerns, including those about loneliness and social interaction, during clinical consultations, and that clinical guidelines for type 2 diabetes should include addressing loneliness. Related information this placecan be found in