title: Differences in social relations between persons with type 2 diabetes and the general population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Poor social support and lack of social network are well-established risk factors for morbidity and mortality in general populations. Good social relations, such as social support and network contacts, are associated with better self-management and fewer psychosocial problems in persons with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether persons with type 2 diabetes have poorer social relations than the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional survey in three settings: a specialist diabetes clinic (SDC) (n = 1084), a web panel (WP) consisting of persons with type 2 diabetes (n = 1491) and a sample from the 2010 Danish Health and Morbidity Survey, representative of the general population (n = 15,165). We compared social relations using multivariate logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the general population, persons with type 2 diabetes more often lived without a partner (SDC, OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.49-2.06; WP, OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.43-1.87), met with family less than once a month (SDC, OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.40-2.27; WP, OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.94-2.84) and were less certain they could count on help from others in case of illness (WP, OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.41).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that persons with type 2 diabetes have poorer social relations than the general population. From a public health point of view, special attention is needed with regards to strengthening existing networks and establishing alternative networks among persons with type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Steno Health Promotion Center, Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark. nfhr@steno.dk
authors.forename: Nana Folmann
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Hempler
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekholm
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Willaing
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support
keywords: educational level; general population; persons with type 2 diabetes; social network; social relations; social support