Stressful life events and psychological dysfunctions before the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Apr;20(4):527-34. doi: 10.1515/jpem.2007.20.4.527.

Abstract

Aim: To test the hypothesis that stressful life events and psychological dysfunction increase the risk for development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1).

Method: A case-control study comprising 105 children with DM1 and 210 controls matched by age +/- 1 year), sex and place of residence. Conditional univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the data.

Results: After adjustment for possible confounders, the following factors were positively related to DM1: parents' job-related issues changed or lost job (odds ratio [OR] 11.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-81.8); other severe life events--severe accident, hospitalization or death of close friend, quarrels between parents, war in republics of former Yugoslavia, near-drowning in a pool, falling down, unhurt participant of an accident (OR 68.5, 95% CI 13.5-349.0); other minor life events--conflicts with parents/teacher/neighbors, lost in town, physical attack, failure in competition, penalty, examination, death of pet, presence at lightning strike, thrown out of dwelling (OR 32.7, 95% CI 6.3-169.6); and learning problems (OR 17.5, 95% CI 4.3-71.6).

Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that stressful life events and psychological dysfunctions are associated with DM1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Life Change Events*
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*