Adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes face a significantly higher risk of heart disease and premature death, according to a new study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet. Published in the European Heart Journal, the research challenges the common belief that adult-onset type 1 diabetes has a milder prognosis than childhood-onset cases.
Key Findings: Adult-Onset Diabetes Carries Serious Risks
Increased Cardiovascular Events: Adults diagnosed after age 40 with type 1 diabetes had notably higher rates of heart disease compared to the general population.
Higher All-Cause Mortality: Risks of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infections were significantly elevated.
Technology Gap: Adults with type 1 diabetes were less likely to use insulin pumps or advanced glucose monitoring systems, contributing to poorer blood sugar control and worse health outcomes.
Study Details
The researchers analyzed data from 10,184 adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2001 and 2020, comparing them to over 509,000 individuals in a matched control group. The study emphasized that key risk factors—such as smoking, obesity, and poor glycemic control—further increased complications.
Postdoctoral fellow Yuxia Wei noted, “Individuals diagnosed after age 40 are not spared the serious complications commonly associated with early-onset cases.”
Implications for Care
This study highlights the urgent need for better management strategies and technology access for adults with type 1 diabetes. The research team plans further investigations into risk factors for adult-onset diabetes, microvascular complications, and the potential benefits of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring.
Conclusion
Funded by the Swedish Research Council and Swedish Diabetes Foundation, this study underscores that adult-onset type 1 diabetes is not a “milder” form of the disease. Comprehensive care, including access to modern diabetes technology, is crucial to reducing cardiovascular risk and improving survival in this population.
Related topics:
How to Use Sugar Level Test Machine？
Why Am I Getting Different Blood Sugar Readings on Different Fingers？
