Gender and age influence type 2 diabetes complications, study finds

A study published in PLOS Medicine by researchers at Queen Mary University of London reveals that sex and age significantly influence the types of complications following a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

Analyzing anonymized medical records of approximately 28,720 individuals in the United Kingdom diagnosed between 2010 and 2020, researchers found that while 39% of participants experienced at least one significant health complication, the specific risks varied by gender. Women were more likely to develop mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, with an 8.1% incidence rate compared to 5.3% in men. Additionally, women showed higher rates of certain health trajectories leading to death.

In contrast, men faced a higher risk of physical complications, specifically cardiovascular and renal diseases. Approximately 8.4% of men were diagnosed with cardiovascular or renal issues, compared to 5.3% of women. The study highlights the necessity for gender-specific preventative and therapeutic strategies to manage the long-term effects of the metabolic disorder, which currently affects over 536 million people globally.