Personal light exposure patterns and incidence of type 2 diabetes: analysis of 13 million hours of light sensor data and 670,000 person-years of prospective observation

Abstract

Overview

The study explores the connection between personal light exposure and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among participants from the UK Biobank, utilizing approximately 13 million hours of light sensor data.

Methods

• Participants: 84,790 individuals, aged 62.3 ± 7.9 years, 58% female.
• Light sensors worn for one week to measure day and night light exposure.
• Analysis of circadian amplitude and phase from weekly data.
• Incident type 2 diabetes cases recorded over an average follow-up of 7.9 years.
• Adjustments made for age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and genetic risk.

Findings

Increased diabetes risk correlated incrementally with higher night light exposure. Specific details include:

• 50-70th percentiles of night light: HR = 1.29 [95% CI: 1.14–1.46]
• 70-90th percentiles: HR = 1.39 [95% CI: 1.24–1.57]
• 90-100th percentiles: HR = 1.53 [95% CI: 1.32–1.77]
• Lower circadian amplitude and deviant circadian phases also associated with higher risk.

Conclusion

The study suggests that avoidance of bright light at night may serve as a simple preventive measure against type 2 diabetes, which could be particularly beneficial even for those with high genetic predispositions towards the disease.