Those with diabetes who found it hard to trust others had a higher mortality rate, U. S. researchers have found.

However, the exact mechanisms behind the link between relationship style and mortality rate were not yet known and further research was needed, said the researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle.

The five-year study, published in Diabetes Care, found "independent" diabetes patients who did not reach out to others due to either being overly cautious or dismissive in relating to people had a 33 percent higher mortality rate than "interactive" diabetes patients who easily related with others and sought support.

Study researcher Dr. Paul Ciechanowski said in a statement "Many self-management behaviors related to diabetes are optimally carried out in collaboration with others -- family, peers and healthcare providers."

3,535 adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes enrolled as Group Health Cooperative patients in the Puget Sound area of Washington state were examined by Ciechanowski and colleagues.

The researchers further said that the study participants completed a relationship questionnaire and were divided into those with an interactive style and those with an independent style. Since depression has been linked to premature death from diabetes, patients with depression were not included in the study. (With Inputs from Agencies)