Death By Diabetes

Death by Diabetes: A Comprehensive Analysis

Diabetes and All-Cause Mortality

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of death from various causes. A large-scale study involving 820,900 individuals found that people with diabetes had a 1.80 times higher risk of death from any cause compared to those without diabetes. This increased risk is attributed to both vascular and non-vascular conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases, and degenerative disorders.

Cause-Specific Mortality in Diabetes

Vascular Diseases

Vascular diseases are a leading cause of death among individuals with diabetes. The risk of death from vascular causes is more than double in people with diabetes compared to those without (hazard ratio of 2.32). This includes conditions such as ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases. Despite improvements in diabetes management, cardiovascular disease remains the predominant cause of death among diabetic patients .

Cancer

Diabetes is also associated with an increased risk of death from several types of cancer, including liver, pancreas, ovary, colorectum, lung, bladder, and breast cancers. The risk of cancer-related mortality is 1.25 times higher in individuals with diabetes. However, the proportion of deaths due to cancer has remained relatively stable over time.

Infectious Diseases

Infections, particularly pneumonia, are a significant cause of death in diabetic patients, especially among the elderly. In Japan, infections accounted for 17% of deaths among diabetic patients, with pneumonia being particularly prevalent in those over 70 years old. This trend underscores the vulnerability of diabetic individuals to infectious diseases.

Renal and Liver Diseases

Renal failure and liver diseases are also notable causes of death in diabetic patients. The risk of death from renal disease is significantly higher in individuals with diabetes, particularly those with poor glycemic control . Similarly, liver disease contributes to the increased mortality risk in this population.

Global and Regional Mortality Trends

Globally, diabetes contributes to approximately 11.3% of deaths among adults aged 20-79 years, with significant regional variations. The highest proportion of diabetes-attributable deaths is observed in the Middle East and North Africa (16.2%), while the lowest is in Africa (6.8%). In the United States, the age-standardized mortality rates for diabetes as an underlying or contributing cause of death have shown a decline, particularly from 2007 to 2014, but have plateaued since then.

Underreporting and Data Limitations

Diabetes is often underreported on death certificates, leading to an underestimation of its impact on mortality. Studies have shown that diabetes is recorded on only 39% of death certificates of individuals with known diabetes, and as the underlying cause in just 10% of cases. This underreporting highlights the need for improved data collection and reporting practices to accurately assess the mortality burden of diabetes.

Conclusion

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of death from a variety of causes, including vascular diseases, cancer, infections, and renal and liver diseases. Despite improvements in diabetes management, the mortality burden remains high, particularly in certain regions and among specific age groups. Accurate reporting and comprehensive data collection are essential for understanding and addressing the full impact of diabetes on mortality.

Summary

Not a yes or no question