Stressful life events and type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare cases with type 2 diabetes and their controls for the frequency of stressful life events and social support before the occurrence of the disease.

Methods: The study of cases and their controls was undertaken in Belgrade. A case group comprised 179 subjects in whom type 2 diabetes was for the first time diagnosed in the 'Savski Venac' Medical Center during the period 2005-2007 year. The diagnosis was made by a specialist of internal medicine according to criteria of the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus. For each case two controls were chosen among patients with trauma (fracture, reposition, internal/external fixation) who were treated at the 'Banjica' Institute for Orthopedic-Surgical Diseases during the same period. Cases and controls were matched by sex, age (±2 years) and place of residence (Belgrade). Data were collected on demographic characteristics, habits, personal history, stressful life events, social support and family medical history.

Results: According to multivariate analysis low social support in personal history, such as relatives/friends help and financial assistance in solving problems, and bad management of monthly income were significantly positively related to type 2 diabetes. However, significantly more controls than cases had no financial insurance in case of urgent need

Conclusion: Examine psychosocial factors play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.