The independent association between vitamin B12 and insomnia in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Insomnia is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study therefore evaluated the associations between various micronutrients and insomnia in patients with T2DM. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Between January 2018 and December 2020, a total of 418 T2DM patients with or without insomnia were recruited. Clinical and biochemical parameters, as well as micronutrient levels, were measured in each participant. Insomnia and sleep quality were assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. RESULTS: Insomnia was found in 24.16% of patients with T2DM. Compared with T2DM patients without insomnia, patients with insomnia had significantly higher levels of vitamin B12 (VitB12). Increased VitB12 was an independent risk factor for insomnia (OR 1.61 [1.06–2.45], P = 0.03). A cut-off value of 517.50 pg/ml VitB12 (P = 0.01, AUC 0.61, standard error 0.04) predicted insomnia risk. Moreover, increased VitB12 levels in patients with insomnia were closely correlated with the use of mecobalamin. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that elevated serum VitB12 level is independently associated with the incidence of insomnia and predicts increased insomnia risk in Chinese patients with T2DM.