Research identifies link between type 2 diabetes in men and permanent stress

New research has identified a link between permanent stress and type 2 diabetes in men.

A 35-year prospective follow-up study carried out by a team at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, which monitored the health of 7,500 males, discovered men who report long-standing stress are at a considerably greater risk of developing the illness compared to those who feel no stress.

It was shown that men under permanent stress had a 45 per cent higher risk of suffering from diabetes in the future, with the link between stress and the disease being statistically significant even after adjustments for various factors were made.

Masuma Novak, leader of the study – which was published in the journal Diabetic Medicine – said stress is not currently recognised as a preventable cause of diabetes, adding: "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."