A new study published in the European Heart Journal has shown that people who develop type 1 diabetes as adults have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death compared to healthy controls.
The study used data from a national health registry in Sweden that identified people who were diagnosed with adult-onset type 1 or type 2 diabetes as well as healthy controls. Adult-onset was defined as diagnosis at or above the age of 40. In total, over 10,000 people with type 1 diabetes were included, along with over 375,500 people with type 2 diabetes and over 500,000 controls. Each group was assessed for mortality, cardiovascular disease/major adverse cardiovascular events, and prognostic factors. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks part of the pancreas and it stops producing insulin, whereas type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces less insulin and the body becomes more insulin resistant.
The results showed that people with adult-onset type 1 diabetes had a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes, including cancer and infections, compared to the control group. However, people with adult-onset type 2 diabetes had an even greater risk of cardiovascular disease and major adverse cardiovascular events than those with adult-onset type 1 diabetes.
The authors stated that the main reasons for the poor prognosis among those with adult-onset diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, included smoking, overweight/obesity, and poor blood sugar control. This group was also less likely to use assistive devices, such as insulin pumps, which worsened their prognosis. Fortunately, the study also showed that the prognosis could be improved in these groups by preventing smoking and obesity and by improving glucose control. Future studies will explore the risk factors for developing adult-onset type 1 diabetes and the prognosis based on other outcomes.
Sources: European Heart Journal, Science Daily
