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Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Increased Risk of Schizophrenia in Midlife and Old-Age

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the University of Haifa in Israel have conducted a nationwide population-based study to investigate the association between type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia risk in midlife and old-age. The study results, published in the Schizophrenia Bulletin, suggest that the onset of type 2 diabetes may be associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, led by Arad Kodesh and colleagues, analyzed a cohort of 99,567 individuals born between 1932 and 1952, with 52.7% being female.
  • The researchers found that the onset of type 2 diabetes was associated with a 50% increased risk of incident schizophrenia, adjusted hazard ratio = 1.53 (95% CI, 1.11-2.10; P = .009).
  • The association between type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia risk showed minimal reverse causation, and antidiabetic medication was not associated with schizophrenia risk.
  • The study concluded that the onset of type 2 diabetes may require psychosis monitoring, which is relevant to healthcare providers and clinicians in psychiatry, geriatrics, and endocrinology.
  • Nine complementary analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the findings, and all were consistent with the primary analysis results.
  • The study's findings have implications for the prevention and early detection of schizophrenia in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
  • The researchers emphasize the importance of close monitoring and follow-up of individuals with type 2 diabetes to identify potential psychotic symptoms early on.

Statistics:

  • The cohort consisted of 99,567 individuals, with 52.7% being female.
  • The mean age at cohort entry was 59.70 years (SD = 5.68), with an average follow-up period of 14.47 years (SD = 2.28).
  • The incidence of schizophrenia per 10,000 person-years was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.21-0.32) in individuals with type 2 diabetes and 0.12 (95% CI, 0.11-0.14) in those without.
  • The adjusted hazard ratio for the association between type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia risk was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.11-2.10; P = .009).
  • The study's findings highlight the potential utility of type 2 diabetes as an indicator of increased schizophrenia risk.

Sources:

  • The Risk of Very Late-Onset Schizophrenia Following Diabetes Type 2 Onset: A Nationwide Population-Based Study of Midlife and Old-Age. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 2025.
  • Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England (Schizophrenia Bulletin - schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org)
  • University of Haifa, Dept. of Community Mental Health, Haifa, 3103301, Israel (Arad Kodesh, corresponding author)

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