Most common cause of death in diabetics
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Most Common Cause of Death in Diabetics
Cardiovascular Disease as the Leading Cause of Death in Diabetics
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is consistently identified as the most common cause of death among individuals with diabetes. Multiple studies have shown that diabetics have a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular-related conditions compared to non-diabetics. For instance, a comprehensive analysis of 12 Spanish population cohorts revealed that diabetes increased the risk of cardiovascular death by more than twofold in both men and women. Similarly, the WHO Multinational Study of Vascular Disease in Diabetes found that cardiovascular disease accounted for 44% of deaths in Type 1 diabetes and 52% in Type 2 diabetes. This trend is further supported by research indicating that cardiovascular disease remains the predominant cause of death among diabetics in various regions, including the United States and Japan .
Cancer as a Significant Cause of Death
Cancer is another major cause of death among diabetics, although its impact varies by region and population. In a study involving 820,900 people across 97 prospective studies, diabetes was associated with a 25% increased risk of death from cancer. This association was particularly strong for cancers of the liver, pancreas, ovary, colorectum, lung, bladder, and breast. In Japan, malignant neoplasia was the most frequent cause of death among diabetics, accounting for 38.3% of deaths. The shift from cardiovascular diseases to cancers as the leading cause of death has also been observed in high-income countries like the UK, where improved cardiovascular care has reduced mortality from vascular causes, thereby increasing the relative impact of cancer.
Renal Disease and Infections
Renal disease and infections are also significant contributors to mortality in diabetics. The WHO study reported that renal disease accounted for 21% of deaths in Type 1 diabetes and 11% in Type 2 diabetes. In Mexico, renal disease had a rate ratio of 20.1 for death among diabetics, making it one of the largest absolute excess risks of death. Infections, particularly pneumonia, are another major cause of death, especially in older diabetic populations. In Japan, infections accounted for 17% of deaths among diabetics, with pneumonia being a significant contributor.
Non-Cardiovascular, Non-Cancer Causes
Diabetes also increases the risk of death from various non-cardiovascular, non-cancer causes. These include liver disease, pneumonia, other infectious diseases, mental disorders, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For example, in the United States, the multiple-cause-of-death approach revealed that hypertension and hypertensive renal disease are increasingly co-reported causes of death among diabetics.
Conclusion
In summary, cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death among diabetics, followed by cancer, renal disease, and infections. The diversification of causes of death in diabetics highlights the need for comprehensive management strategies that address not only glycemic control but also the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions, cancers, and infections. This multifaceted approach is essential to reduce the excess mortality risk in individuals with diabetes.
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