Is Being Single a Risk Factor for Previously Undetected Abnormal Glucose Tolerance?

BACKGROUND: Type II diabetes represents a chronic disease with costly consequences. It is important to identify all risk factors to allow patients the opportunity to counter its progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between marital status and previously undiagnosed abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) in a northern Colombian population.

METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional screening study in a northern Colombian adult population ages 18-74 using healthcare insurance company data from 2014-2015. The main exposure was marital status, while the outcome was AGT. A descriptive analysis of the variables in the database was conducted, and chi-square analysis of categorical covariates and a t-test of continuous covariates were performed. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between marital status and AGT.

RESULTS: Single individuals had a 20% decreased odds of having AGT compared to married individuals (odds ratio (OR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7 - 1.0), but this association disappeared after adjusting for covariates (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7 - 1.2). There was a 40% increased odds of AGT in women compared to men (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.1 - 1.8). Hypertension increased the risk of AGT by about 60% (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.2 - 2.1), while obesity was associated with an 80% increased odds of developing AGT (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.3 - 2.4).

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that screening for abnormal glucose tolerance may not be necessary in specific marital status groups.