In a comprehensive study spanning 17 years, researchers in Sweden have observed a significant increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes among individuals under 30 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which analyzed data from Sweden’s extensive health and population registers, noted a particular rise in cases among children under five and young adult men.
Dominik Dietler, a researcher at Lund University, highlighted the findings, stating, “Through Sweden’s health and population registers, we have been able to follow people from 2007 to 2023 and can see that more individuals developed type 1 diabetes during the pandemic than previously.” The study compared the risk of developing diabetes among 720,000 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 against a control group of 3.5 million people.
Unraveling the Causes
Despite the observed increase, researchers have ruled out the COVID-19 vaccine as a contributing factor. The number of diabetes cases surged by 12 percent in 2021 and 9 percent in 2022 compared to previous years, before returning to normal levels in 2023. However, a clear connection between COVID-19 infection and diabetes remains elusive, except for children aged five to nine, who showed an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes about a month after a COVID-19 infection.
Dietler explained, “Regardless of previous infections, type 1 diabetes often debuts at this age. Infections do not seem to cause type 1 diabetes as such, but may accelerate or trigger the onset among individuals who are already on the way to developing the disease.”
Potential Lifestyle Factors
While the direct link between COVID-19 and diabetes remains uncertain, lifestyle changes during the pandemic may have played a role. Dietler noted that more studies are needed to understand the underlying causes of the increase. “There could be other factors such as lifestyle changes that affect the onset,” he commented. Other studies have reported an increase in BMI among children and a reduction in physical activity among teenagers, with stress and dietary changes also potentially contributing to the rise in diabetes cases.
“However, it’s clear that the COVID-19 vaccine can be ruled out as a cause of the increase in diabetes cases. The recommendation for the age group where we saw the strongest increase was not to get vaccinated.”
Global Perspective and Future Considerations
Interestingly, a similar increase in diabetes cases has been observed in countries like Denmark and the USA. Despite Sweden’s relatively mild pandemic restrictions, the rise in cases has prompted researchers to consider additional measures to promote healthy lifestyles during future health crises. Dietler expressed some surprise at the findings, given the country’s approach to the pandemic.
“In a follow-up study we are now looking more closely at other factors that can affect the risk of developing type 1 diabetes during a public health crisis,” Dietler revealed. “Among other things, this concerns factors that affect how easy or hard it is to live healthily, such as economic conditions, housing situation, access to green spaces, and the option of working from home.”
The study’s findings underscore the need for further research into the complex interplay of factors contributing to the onset of type 1 diabetes, particularly in the context of global health emergencies. As researchers continue to explore these connections, the insights gained could inform public health strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of future crises on vulnerable populations.
