How do people die from diabetes
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Understanding Diabetes-Related Mortality
Diabetes is a chronic condition that significantly impacts global mortality rates. This article explores the various ways in which diabetes contributes to premature death, focusing on key factors such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other complications.
Global Mortality Rates and Diabetes
Diabetes-Related Deaths Worldwide
Diabetes is a major contributor to global mortality, with an estimated 4.2 million deaths among adults aged 20-79 years in 2019 alone. This accounts for approximately 11.3% of all deaths in this age group, with the highest rates observed in the Middle East and North Africa. Similarly, in 2013, diabetes was responsible for 8.4% of all-cause deaths among adults, translating to nearly 5.1 million deaths globally.
Age and Regional Variations
The impact of diabetes on mortality varies significantly by age and region. For instance, nearly half of the diabetes-related deaths occur in individuals under 60 years of age, with the highest proportion of such deaths in the Africa Region. In contrast, the Europe Region has the lowest proportion of diabetes-related deaths among younger individuals.
Causes of Death in Diabetic Patients
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among individuals with diabetes. Studies have shown that people with diabetes have a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular causes compared to those without diabetes . For example, the hazard ratio for death from vascular causes in diabetic individuals is 2.32, indicating more than double the risk compared to non-diabetics.
Cancer and Other Non-Vascular Conditions
Diabetes also increases the risk of death from various cancers and non-vascular conditions. Diabetic patients are more likely to die from cancers of the liver, pancreas, ovary, colorectum, lung, bladder, and breast. Additionally, diabetes is associated with higher mortality rates from renal disease, liver disease, pneumonia, and other infectious diseases .
Renal Complications
Renal complications are another significant cause of death among diabetic patients. Poor glycemic control and the presence of nephropathy are strongly linked to reduced lifespan in diabetic individuals . For instance, in Japan, renal failure accounted for 3.5% of deaths among diabetic patients, with poorer glycemic control leading to a shorter lifespan.
Trends and Improvements in Mortality Rates
Declining Mortality Rates
Recent trends indicate a decline in mortality rates among diabetic patients, particularly in developed countries. In the USA, all-cause death rates among adults with diabetes decreased by 20% every 10 years from 1988 to 2015. Similarly, in Sweden, mortality and cardiovascular outcomes among diabetic patients have significantly improved over the past few decades.
Shifts in Cause-Specific Mortality
While deaths from vascular causes have declined, there has been an increase in the proportion of deaths from non-vascular, non-cancer causes among diabetic patients. This shift highlights the need for comprehensive management strategies that address a broader range of health issues beyond cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion
Diabetes significantly contributes to global mortality, primarily through cardiovascular disease, cancer, and renal complications. While recent trends show improvements in mortality rates, the disease continues to pose a substantial health burden. Effective management and prevention strategies are crucial to reducing the impact of diabetes on global mortality.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic