Multimorbidity patterns and early signals of diabetes in online communities

Lay Summary: This study examines how online communities on Reddit can reveal connections between diabetes and other health conditions, as well as potential early signs of diabetes. We focused on 3 primary diabetes-related subreddits and their links to 88 other health conditions. By tracking user participation across different health-related communities, we mapped a multimorbidity network, highlighting common co-occurring conditions. The results show strong links between diabetes and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD, reinforcing the known psychological burden of diabetes. Additionally, users frequently engaged in discussions about weight loss, reproductive health, and autoimmune diseases, such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain, highlighting potential multimorbidity concerns. We also investigated early signals of diabetes by analyzing the temporal patterns of individual users. We found that many people discussed mental health, obesity, or pregnancy conditions before participating in diabetes-related subreddits, particularly for type 2 diabetes. This suggests that digital behavioral data could help detect individuals at higher risk of developing diabetes, offering opportunities for earlier health interventions and support.