Permanent Stress Significantly Raises Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men

Men who suffer from permanent stress are significantly at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, warns a new study.

The finding is based on a 35-year prospective follow-up study of 7,500 men in Gothenburg.

Quiz on Diabetes
Diabetes has replaced every other condition to become the fastest growing lifestyle disease, globally. This disease also impacts children. Some people are more inclined to develop diabetes than others. Do you belong to the high- risk group? Spend 5 minutes to find out.

Since the 1970s, a large population based cohort study has been undertaken at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg to monitor the health of men born in Gothenburg between 1915 and 1925.

Using this unique material, researchers are now able to show that permanent stress significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Of the total sample, 6,828 men without any previous history of diabetes, coronary artery disease or stroke were analyzed. A total of 899 of these men developed diabetes during the follow up.

Type 2 Diabetes
Learn more about Type 2 Diabetes, a disease that is taking the world by storm!

Stress at baseline in this study was measured using a single item question in which they were asked to grade their stress level on a six-point scale, based on factors such as irritation, anxiety and difficulties in sleeping related to conditions at work or at home.

At baseline, 15.5 percent of the men reported permanent stress related to conditions at work or home, either during the past one year or during the past five years.

HbA1c or A1c Calculator for Blood Glucose
HbA1c calculator calculates average plasma and whole blood glucose levels. A1c test tells your average blood sugar level in the past 3 months and helps check whether your diabetes is in control.

The results showed that men who have reported permanent stress had a 45 percent higher risk of developing diabetes, compared with men who reported to have no or periodic stress.

The link between stress and diabetes has been statistically significant, even after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, physical inactivity, BMI, systolic blood pressure and use of blood pressure-lowering medication.

Easy Ways to Beat Anxiety and Stress
Valuable tips to keep yourself cool in adverse situations

"Today, stress is not recognized as a preventable cause of diabetes. As our study shows that there is an independent link between permanent stress and the risk of developing diabetes, which underlines the importance of preventive measure," said researcher Masuma Novak, who led the study.

Source-ANI