Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term effect of prenatal exposure to earthquake stress on diabetes risk in the adulthood.MethodsThis study included employees of Tangshan Kailuan Mining Group between July 29, 1976 and April 28, 1977. The exposure group included subjects who experienced the Tangshan Earthquake during their prenatal period and who had lived in Tangshan since birth. The non-exposure group included subjects who were born 1–1.9 years after the earthquake and who had lived in Tangshan since birth. A questionnaire was designed that included sociodemographic information, conditions during pregnancy, and earthquake experience. Anthropometric measurements including height and weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference were made. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid profiles were also determined.ResultsTotally 947 subjects were included with 397 subjects in the exposed group and 550 subjects in the non-exposed group. The diabetes rate is significant different in these four groups(χ2 =8.045, P = 0.045). Moreover, 11.8, 7.5 and 8.0% of the subjects who were exposed to earthquake in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester of pregnancy had diabetes. 5.1% of the subjects had diabetes in non-exposure group. Our multivariate analysis showed that 1st trimester (OR 2.481, 95%CI 1.02, 6.034; P = 0.045) and loss of family members during earthquake (OR 2.452, 95%CI 1.293, 4.653; P = 0.006) were associated with significantly increased risk of diabetes.ConclusionsExposure to earthquake during the first trimester of pregnancy and experience of family member loss in the earthquake significantly increased the subsequent risk of diabetes in the middle age (36–39 years of age). Our data suggest that earthquake experience in the early pregnancy has a longer-term effect on diabetes risk during adulthood.
Highlights
The maternal pregnancy is an important period for the healthy development of the fetus
Stressful life events during pregnancy impact on the mother and fetal development in utero and cause long-term adverse outcomes in the offspring born from stress-burdened mothers [1, 2]
After the Eastern Japan earthquake on 11th March 2011, a study of 497 diabetic patients showed that blood glucose control was poor in 3 months after the earthquake, which was related to endogenous insulin secretion caused by hyperactivity of sympathetic nerve caused by stress [6]
Summary
The maternal pregnancy (prenatal stage) is an important period for the healthy development of the fetus. Increasing evidence has indicated that the origins of certain agerelated diseases such as diabetes could be traced back to stressful experiences during the fetal period in utero [3]. Studies on earthquake experience confirmed that earthquake trauma could increase the risk of diabetes mellitus. After the Eastern Japan earthquake on 11th March 2011, a study of 497 diabetic patients showed that blood glucose control was poor in 3 months after the earthquake, which was related to endogenous insulin secretion caused by hyperactivity of sympathetic nerve caused by stress [6]. Our previous study found that the resting heart rate and fasting blood glucose level increased significantly in adults who experienced earthquake stress during their adolescence and childhood [7, 8]. There has been no study on the subsequent risk of diabetes in adults who have experienced earthquake in their prenatal life
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