Findings from a 35 year study by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden has found that permanent stress significantly increases the risk of type II diabetes in men.
The research, conducted at the the Sahlgrenska Academy, has surveyed the health of men born in Gothenburg from 1915 to 1925 since the 1970s, reports Science Daily. Of those surveyed, 6,828 men without a previous history of diabetes, coronary artery disease or stroke were analyzed in regards to their stress levels. Of the 6,828, 899 developed diabetes.
"Today, stress is not recognized as a preventable cause of diabetes," lead researcher Masuma Novak told Science Daily. "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."
The men rated their levels of stress on a six-point scale. Stress factors included anviety, irritation and difficulty sleeping because of work conditions and home life. Of the men, 15.5 percent reported that these conditions at work and home were related to permament stress, during the past year or past five years. The results revealed that these men had a 45 percent higher chance of contracting diabetes. This link between stress and diabetes remained even after adjusting for physical inactivity, BMI, age, socioeconomic status, systolic blood pressure and the use of blodd pressure-lowering medication.
