Younger
people with Type 2 diabetes are three times more
likely to die early than those of the same age without
the disease, a study suggests.
A study of 264,000 patients in the journal of
Diabetic Medicine found those with the disease
were twice as likely to die early than those without.
Patients with Type 2 diabetes aged 35 to 54
were three times as likely to die early as non-sufferers
of the same age.
Type 2 Diabetes tends develop in later life
and is linked to obesity and diet.
Charity Diabetes UK said the results of the study
published in the journal Diabetic Medicine were
"shocking".
It develops when the body can still make some
insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that
is produced does not work properly (known as insulin
resistance).
Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed at a much earlier
age and occurs when the body cannot make any insulin
at all.
Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes
such as a healthier diet, weight loss and increased
physical activity.
But the condition is progressive and tablets
and/or insulin may also be required to achieve
normal blood glucose levels.
Both types lead to associated conditions such
as heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, nerve
damage leading to amputations and blindness.
Some view Type 2 diabetes as a milder form of
the disease because patients do not necessarily
have to have insulin injections.
'Younger and younger'
But research author Henrietta Mulnier of Surrey
University said data like this showed it was just
as dangerous.
Her team compared information from GPs' records
in the UK on deaths from all causes between January
1992 and October 1999.
"We did expect that people with Type 2 diabetes
would have a higher risk of dying earlier rather
than later," she said.
She added that the findings would have an impact
on how decisions on how to deal with the disease
and provide health care are made.
"With people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
younger and younger, the figures are going to
get worse.
"We really do need to focus on early detection
and treatment."
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at Diabetes
UK, said the results were shocking but people
with diabetes had to be made aware of the seriousness
of the condition.
Healthy lives
"Diabetes deaths are predicted to rise by 25%
over the next decade."
But he said that many of the deaths would have
been needless.
"However, the risk of complications leading
to death can be reduced if people with diabetes
get the care they need to manage their condition.
"There is no reason why people with diabetes
cannot live long and healthy lives," he added.
It is thought that there up to three quarters
of a million people with Type 2 diabetes in the
UK who have not been diagnosed.
