Rates of type 2 diabetes are higher in people with one of the various common psychiatric disorders

A new study published in a journal Diabetologia finds that type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence is elevated in people with a psychiatric disorder compared with the general population.

Psychiatric diseases are widespread, affect the quality of life, and increase mortality. This increased mortality is due to more suicides and accidents and increased risk of physical illnesses associated with mental illness, such as cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Diabetes is a condition that affects between 6% and 9% of the worldwide population. Rates have risen steadily since 1990 and are forecast to do so for the next 20 years.

The study found that people with a sleep disorder had the highest rates of T2D, with 40% of subjects having the disease while its prevalence among individuals with other psychiatric disorders was 21% (binge eating disorder), 16% (substance use disorder), 14% (anxiety disorders), 11% (bipolar disorder), and 11% (psychosis). Prevalence of T2D was lowest among people with an intellectual disability, with 8% of individuals having the disease. In each case, these rates are as high or higher than the 6-9% level of T2D found in the general population.

According to the authors, this physical comorbidity likely contributes to the high T2D prevalence estimates in people with sleep issues. The T2D-sleep disorder link is expected to be bidirectional. Diabetes, especially when combined with poor metabolic control, raises the risk of sleep disorders and vice-versa.