Now Reading: Diabetes hits women’s mental health, men’s heart: study
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Diabetes hits women’s mental health, men’s heart: study
Women are more likely to develop mental health conditions while men face higher risks of cardiovascular and kidney complications after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, a study published in PLOS Medicine has…
Women are more likely to develop mental health conditions while men face higher risks of cardiovascular and kidney complications after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, a study published in PLOS Medicine has found. Researchers analysed anonymised health records of 28,720 UK patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2020.
Overall, 39 per cent of participants experienced at least one major health event. Women showed higher rates of mental health conditions (8.1 per cent versus 5.3 per cent for men) and were more likely to die following such trajectories. Men had higher proportions of cardiovascular disease (8.4 per cent versus 5.3 per cent), end-stage renal disease and hypertension.
The team noted younger women showed mental health complications earlier and more often than expected, recommending routine psychological screening in diabetes care. For men, earlier monitoring of cardiovascular and kidney risks was advised.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The study's sex-differentiated findings challenge the one-size-fits-all approach in diabetes management, which affects over 10 crore Indians. The Indian Council of Medical Research's 2023 data showed India's diabetes prevalence at 11.4 per cent, with rising rates among younger adults. Routine psychological screening, suggested for women, is not yet standard in Indian diabetes clinics, where focus remains on glycaemic control and complications like retinopathy. The next step would be for Indian endocrinology bodies to review whether current clinical guidelines need sex-specific protocols, particularly for younger female patients.
Source: health.economictimes.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
