Women with type 2 diabetes are 60% more likely to die early – study

Women in the UK with type 2 diabetes have a 60% greater risk of early death and will live five years less than the average woman in the general population, early research suggests.

Scientists also found that men with the condition have a 44% greater risk of premature death and live 4.5 years less.

The results also show that smoking shortens the life expectancy of people with type 2 diabetes by 10 years, while being diagnosed at a younger age reduces life expectancy by more than eight years.

Findings presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in StockholmSweden, based on a cohort of nearly 12,000 patients at Salford Royal Hospital in Salford.

Dr Adrian Heald, of Salford Royal Hospital, said: “Our modeling shows that type 2 diabetes has a greater impact on life expectancy in women, smokers and those diagnosed at a younger age.

“A woman with type 2 diabetes, for example, can live five years less than the average woman in the general population, while someone diagnosed at a younger age can lose eight years of life expectancy.

“It is vital that the highest risk groups are aware not only of the increased risk they face, but also of the extent of the risk.

“This can make the health advice they give seem more relevant and thus help them make changes that can improve their quality – and length of – life.”

Researchers calculated the life expectancy of 11,806 patients with type 2 diabetes at Salford Royal Hospital over a 10-year period (2010-2020) and compared this with the life expectancy of the general population of the same age and sex.

The team also took into account lifestyle and demographic factors that may affect the life expectancy of people with type 2 diabetes.

Scientists have found that the risk of early death in people with diabetes is 84% ​​higher than in the general population.

The results showed that a woman with type 2 diabetes was 60% more likely to die early than someone in the general population, while a man with the condition was 44% more likely to die prematurely.

Type 2 diabetes it has been shown to have a greater impact on life expectancy in people diagnosed at a younger age, with those under the age of 65 showing a 93% higher risk of early death – losing eight years of life expectancy.

The modeling also showed that people with type 2 diabetes who smoked were 2.5 times more likely to die prematurely than people in the general population, cutting their life expectancy by 10 years.

There are more than 4.9 million people with diabetes in the UK, 90% of whom have type 2 diabetes.

Numbers from Diabetes UK also shows that about 13.6 million people are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Commenting on the research, Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said the findings “highlight that the impact of type 2 diabetes is not the same for everyone”.

She said: “Studies as this is critical to better understanding which groups of people with type 2 diabetes may benefit from individualized care to reduce their increased risk of complications, and may in the future help close unacceptable gaps in health and life expectancy.

“While research like this can be alarming, it’s important to remember that with the right support, many cases of type 2 diabetes and its complications can be prevented or delayed, and that many people with the condition can live long, healthy lives.”