Family characteristics and life events before the onset of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in young adults: a nationwide study.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate whether family characteristics and stressful life events were associated with onset of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in young adults.


METHODS
This investigation was based on a nationwide study (Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden) of newly diagnosed patients aged 15-34 years. Patients clinically classified as type 1 diabetic with antibodies to islet cells and/or to GAD65 were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects via questionnaire. The questionnaire covered diabetes heredity, social environment, educational level, and life events experienced during the 12 months before diagnosis.


RESULTS
The rate of response was 82% for the diabetic patients and 65% for the control subjects. Questionnaires from 349 diabetic patients and 979 control subjects were considered. Diabetes in relatives was more frequent in the patients (odds ratio [OR]2.6) who were born in Sweden and whose mothers were of Swedish origin. No major stress factors were detected in the diabetic patients; however, in comparison with the control subjects, the diabetic patients had experienced fewer conflicts with their parents and had less often broken contacts with friends.


CONCLUSIONS
Young adults with recent-onset type 1 diabetes were more exposed to heredity for diabetes, but no major prediabetic stress factors were detected. Our study does not directly support the concept that psychosocial stressful life events are involved in the development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in young adults.
Littorin
B
B
Derpartment of Community Health Sciences, Södervärn Primary Health Care Center, Malmö University Hospital, Ahlmansgatan 12, S-214 27 Malmö, Sweden. bengt.littorin@skane.se
Sundkvist
G
G
Nyström
L
L
Carlson
A
A
Landin-Olsson
M
M
Ostman
J
J
Arnqvist
H J
HJ
Björk
E
E
Blohmé
G
G
Bolinder
J
J
Eriksson
J W
JW
Scherstén
B
B
Wibell
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000276:immunology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009679:Nuclear Family; D010331:Paternal Age; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007527:Isoenzymes; C024211:islet cell antibody; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; C401141:glutamate decarboxylase 2