Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Sections, Uppsala University, Gatugård, SE- 35594 Wederslöf, Sweden. athelin@wgab.se.
Few studies have examined the risk of type 2 diabetes in various occupational groups. Farmers in Sweden have a low risk of coronary heart disease, but less is known about diabetes.
To analyze the cumulative incidence and relative risk of type 2 diabetes among farmers and referents taking lifestyle factors and components of the metabolic syndrome into account.
In a longitudinal observational cohort study we followed 1,220 farmers, 1,130 rural non-farmer referents and 1,219 urban referents over 20 years. Outcomes were generated from national registers and from two surveys 12 years apart. Baseline data were assessed at the first survey conducted in 1990-91.
Farmers had a significantly lower risk of all diabetes compared with urban and rural referents (p