New results on the association between type 2 diabetes risk and mental health

Lifestyle-related risk factors for type 2 diabetes are also potential risk factors for general and mental health problems. The established German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS), developed by the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), combines various lifestyle-related and biological factors to calculate an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Initial results from the German Health Update 2022 (GEDA 2022) study show that a total of 12.8% of adults in Germany without a previous history of diabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next 5 years. The results also show that adults with a high type 2 diabetes risk are more likely to have mental health problems than those at low risk: they are 35% less likely to report good mental health and 2.5 times more likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Strengthening of preventive measures to address behavioural factors at the individual level as well as context-based conditions (i.e. living, working and environmental conditions) could therefore not only reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but also have a positive impact on mental health. Longitudinal studies are needed to improve the understanding of the complex interactions between physical and mental health and to further develop suitable approaches to health promotion.

More news from the Diabetes Surveillance:

Furthermore, for World Diabetes Day 2024, current results based on registry data from a cooperation project of the Diabetes Surveillance on the following topics of diabetes focusing on childhood and adolescence were summarized on posters:

• [Integration of information from diabetes registries into the Diabetes Surveillance - Analysis 2024: Incidence and prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents] (Rosenbauer et al. 2024)
• [Integration of information from diabetes registries into the Diabetes Surveillance - Analysis 2024: Severe hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis] (Eckert et al. 2024)
• [Integration of information from diabetes registries into the Diabetes Surveillance - Analysis 2024: Continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump therapy and automatic insulin delivery (AID)] (Eckert et al. 2024)