Mortality rate of diabetes
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Global Diabetes Mortality Rate: Key Statistics
Diabetes is a major contributor to global mortality. In 2013, it was estimated that 8.4% of all deaths among adults aged 20–79 years were attributable to diabetes, equating to nearly 5.1 million deaths worldwide. Sensitivity analyses suggest this could range from 5.1% to 10.1% of all deaths, or 3.3 to 6.6 million deaths annually. The highest rates were observed in South-East Asian women aged 50–59, and the largest numbers of deaths occurred in populous countries like China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and the United States. Overall, about 1 in 12 global adult deaths were linked to diabetes, with a slightly higher proportion in women than men . By 2019, diabetes was estimated to contribute to 11.3% of deaths globally among adults aged 20–79, with about half of these deaths occurring in people under 60 years old .
Mortality Rate Differences by Age, Region, and Socioeconomic Status
Diabetes mortality rates vary significantly by age and region. In low and low-middle income countries, the age-standardized death rate for people under 25 years was 0.71 per 100,000 population in 2019, compared to 0.13 in high-income countries. Most deaths in this age group were due to type 1 diabetes, and inadequate access to diagnosis and treatment is a major factor in higher mortality in poorer regions . In Africa, 73.1% of diabetes-related deaths occurred in people under 60, while in Europe, this figure was 31.4% .
Trends in Diabetes Mortality Over Time
All-cause mortality among people with diabetes has generally declined in recent decades, especially in high-income and predominantly Europid populations. From 2000 to 2016, 74% of studied populations with diabetes saw decreasing mortality rates, with the decline being more pronounced in older age groups. However, improvements were less marked in younger people and non-Europid populations . In Hong Kong, for example, all-cause mortality among people with diabetes dropped by over 50% between 2001 and 2016, but declines were not statistically significant for those under 45 years old . Similarly, in the USA, all-cause death rates among adults with diabetes declined by 20% every 10 years from 1988–2015, with the greatest reductions in vascular deaths .
Excess Mortality Risk in People with Diabetes
People with diabetes have a higher risk of death compared to those without diabetes. In Sweden, the adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes was 1.15, and for cardiovascular death, it was 1.14. The excess risk was higher in younger people, those with poor glycemic control, and those with renal complications. For example, people under 55 with well-controlled diabetes still had a 1.92 times higher risk of death compared to controls . In Mexico, diabetes was associated with a much higher risk of death, especially in middle-aged adults, accounting for about one third of all deaths between ages 35 and 74 .
Mortality in Type 1 Diabetes
Mortality rates in people with type 1 diabetes have also declined in recent years, with annual reductions ranging from 2.1% to 5.8% in various countries. However, mortality remains higher in people with type 1 diabetes compared to the general population, especially in women and those aged 40–70 years . Among people under 25, most diabetes deaths are due to type 1 diabetes, and mortality rates have decreased globally by about 21% since 1990, though progress is slower in low-income countries .
Factors Influencing Mortality Rates
Mortality rates in people with type 2 diabetes vary widely depending on age, duration of diabetes, presence of complications (especially kidney disease), and access to care. In clinical trials, annualized mortality rates ranged from 0.28 to 8.24 per 100 patient-years, with the highest rates seen in those with chronic kidney disease . Better glycemic control and management of complications are associated with lower mortality Tancredi2015Barkoudah2012.
Conclusion
Diabetes remains a significant cause of death worldwide, responsible for about 1 in 9 adult deaths globally. While mortality rates have declined in many high-income countries and older age groups, younger people and those in low-income regions continue to face high risks. Effective prevention, early diagnosis, and improved management of diabetes and its complications are essential to further reduce diabetes-related mortality Group2015Tancredi2015Cousin2022+7 MORE.
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