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Stressed Workers 'Susceptible to Diabetes'
The chances of developing type 2 diabetes could be significantly increased by stress at work, a new study has found.
Researchers have found that job burnout is associated with "increased risk of diabetes in a magnitude similar to other factors such as high body mass index, smoking and lack of physical exercise".
While this appears to be the first study to link workplace stress to diabetes, lead author Dr Samuel Melamed has told Reuters that there is already evidence available suggesting that cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances, fertility problems and musculoskeletal pain can be caused by burnout.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines burnout as "exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration."
Approximately 2.5 per cent of the 677 workers examined developed type 2 diabetes during the course of the study and scientists discovered that those suffering from job burnout were 1.84 times more likely to develop the condition than those free of the symptoms. This conclusion was reached even after the effects of sex, age, obesity, exercise, smoking and job category were taken into consideration.
The study, which appears in the November/December issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, also sought to exclude the possibility that blood pressure levels were causing individuals to develop type 2 diabetes.
The result of this second study found that burned-out workers were 4.32 times more likely than others to develop the condition.
Dr Melamed speculated: "It is possible that these people are prone to diabetes because they can't handle stress very well. Their coping resources may have been depleted not only due to job stress but also life stresses, such as stressful life events and daily hassles."
Separate research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suggested that men with type 2 diabetes may have a lower risk of developing prostrate cancer.
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