Individuals with Type 1 diabetes face nearly twice the risk of suicide compared to the general population. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 11 (Korea Bizwire) — Individuals with Type 1 diabetes face nearly twice the risk of suicide compared to the general population and 1.8 times higher risk than cancer patients, according to a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
The research, conducted by Kim Jae-hyeon, Kim Gyu-ri, and Kim Seohyun from Samsung Seoul Hospital’s Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service to examine suicide risks among Type 1 diabetes patients.
Type 1 diabetes, an incurable condition where the body cannot produce insulin, requires lifelong insulin injections and poses significant physical and psychological challenges for patients.
The study tracked 45,944 adults diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes between 2009 and 2015. The researchers selected individuals who received at least three insulin prescriptions within their first year of diagnosis and had additional prescriptions in the following one to two years. They compared this group with an equal number of cancer patients matched for age and gender, as well as with the general population.
The findings were stark: Type 1 diabetes patients experienced 252.89 suicide-related events (deaths or hospitalization attempts) per 100,000 person-years. This rate significantly exceeded both cancer patients (141.44 events) and the general population (129.60 events).
“The absence of a fundamental cure for Type 1 diabetes leaves patients struggling with daily challenges and a sense of hopelessness about their incurable condition,” the research team noted. Their previous research had already indicated that Type 1 diabetes patients face four times the risk of alcohol and substance abuse and three times the risk of depression compared to the general population.
“Given the substantial burden on individuals with Type 1 diabetes, we need institutional support through measures such as designating it as a severe intractable disease or disability,” Kim Jae-hyun emphasized.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
