In France, “four million people are identified as diabetics by Health Insurance”, writes Santé Publique France. This chronic disease is characterized by “the presence of excess sugar in the blood, called hyperglycemia”. THE Type 2 diabetes is the most represented with nearly 90% of cases. Certain lifestyle factors can lead to its appearance, such as a sedentary lifestyle, diet or even high blood pressure. But British researchers have discovered a new risk factor.
According to researchers at the University of Surrey, people with a history depression are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people without it. Their results are published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Depression may increase risk of type 2 diabetes
To arrive at these conclusions, the researchers based themselves on a panel of several hundred thousand people from British and Finnish public databases. In detail, 19,344 suffered from type 2 diabetes, 5,262 from depression and 153,079 from self-reported depressive symptoms. Subsequently, the researchers assessed the causal link between type 2 diabetes and depression using Mendelian randomization, a technique that uses genetic variants to determine a risk factor.
The researchers discovered that depression increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Weight gain does not fully explain this increased risk. In addition, specialists have identified seven genetic variants linked to both type 2 diabetes and depression. According to them, “shared genes play a role in the secretion insulin or inflammation of the brain, pancreas, or fatty tissue, with changes in these biological processes potentially explaining how depression increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.”
Type 2 diabetes: Researchers call on people with depression to assess risks
“This extremely important study gives us new information about the links between genetics, type 2 diabetes and depression, indicating that depression may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes,” estimated in a statement Elizabeth Robertson, research director at Diabetes UK. According to her, “This study gives us a better idea of why and indicates that depression should now be considered a risk factor for type 2.”
According to the researchers, the results of this study could allow health professionals “to improve care and support for people with a history of depression and prevent more cases of type 2 diabetes”. Similarly, they recommend that people affected by depression measure their risk of diabetes, in particular through a online form (in English).
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