Type 1 diabetes average life span
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Type 1 Diabetes and Average Life Span
Life Expectancy Reduction in Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes significantly impacts life expectancy. Studies from various regions consistently show that individuals with type 1 diabetes have a reduced life span compared to the general population. For instance, a national Australian study found that type 1 diabetic patients had an estimated life expectancy at birth of 68.6 years, which is 12.2 years less than the general population. Similarly, a Scottish study reported that a 20-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes could expect to live 13 years less, and a man 11 years less, than their non-diabetic counterparts .
Improvements Over Time
Despite the overall reduction in life expectancy, there have been improvements over the decades. In the U.S., the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications (EDC) study showed that life expectancy for those diagnosed between 1965 and 1980 was approximately 15 years greater than for those diagnosed between 1950 and 1964, with life expectancies of 68.8 years and 53.4 years, respectively. This trend is echoed in Sweden, where the life expectancy at age 20 for men with type 1 diabetes increased by about 2 years from 2002-2006 to 2007-2011.
Factors Influencing Life Expectancy
Several factors influence the life expectancy of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Key risk factors include sex, age at diagnosis, and the presence of complications such as cardiovascular disease and renal issues. For example, a Taiwanese study found that early diagnosis (ages 0-12) was associated with a longer life expectancy and lower healthcare costs compared to later diagnosis (ages 13-40). Additionally, men generally have a shorter life expectancy and higher years of life lost compared to women .
Cause-Specific Mortality
The primary causes of reduced life expectancy in type 1 diabetes are cardiovascular diseases and complications related to diabetes itself. In Australia, deaths from endocrine and metabolic diseases were significant contributors to years of life lost (YLL) in younger age groups, while circulatory diseases were more prominent in older age groups. In Scotland, ischemic heart disease was the largest contributor to the loss of life expectancy, particularly in men.
Quality of Life and Aging
As people with type 1 diabetes live longer, quality of life becomes a critical concern. The JUBILE study highlights that living with type 1 diabetes for over 40 years can present significant challenges, including managing long-term complications and maintaining psychological health. Additionally, older adults with type 1 diabetes report gaps in resources and support, which can affect their overall health outcomes and increase diabetes distress.
Conclusion
While life expectancy for individuals with type 1 diabetes has improved over the years, it remains significantly lower than that of the general population. Factors such as age at diagnosis, sex, and the presence of complications play crucial roles in determining life expectancy. Continued advancements in diabetes management and targeted support for aging individuals with type 1 diabetes are essential to further improve their life span and quality of life.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic