Premenopausal women with
insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes have a greatly increased risk of mortality
from cardiovascular disease
That, according to the
results of a large British study presented last week.
Researchers who
followed a cohort of 23,751 male and female diabetics for up to 29 years said
analysis of the 1440 patients who died showed that women under 45 years old lack
the cardioprotection seen among women without diabetes.
Whereas mortality from
heart disease in the general population under 45 was significantly higher in
men, in type 1 diabetics no difference between men and women was observed, the
researchers told attendees of the annual Diabetes UK medical conference in
Glasgow.
A total of 46 women
under 45 years old, including 24 women between the ages of 15 and 34, had died
from ischemic heart disease. The overall mortality rate was 33.7 compared with
0.9 in the general population, giving a standardized mortality ratio of 36.
Mortality from
nonhemorrhagic stroke was also significantly increased in premenopausal women.
Eleven deaths were recorded, yielding a mortality rate of 8.1 compared with 0.3
in the general population, giving a standardized mortality ratio of 32.2.
"It is important to
note that women in this age group without diabetes have a very low risk of dying
from heart disease," said study investigator Dr. Susan Laing, an epidemiologist
at the Institute of Cancer Research. "This is why by comparison, women with
diabetes are at such an increased risk. However, it is essential that doctors
are aware of the risk so that they can avoid unnecessary deaths with early
intervention."
Simon O'Neill, Head of
Care Developments at Diabetes UK added in a statement: "This research shows how
serious type 1 diabetes can be. However, it can be successfully managed and
complications can be avoided. It is important this kind of research is
highlighted so we can be aware of, and act on the risks as early as possible."
Diabetes UK, which
funded the study, said the findings would be published in Diabetologia later
this year.
Source: Diabetes In Control Dot Com.
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