The study, published in the ‘Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,’ examined data from 25,713 individuals aged 45 and above with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The participants were followed up for 10 years through surveys, with their responses linked to medical records to track the development of major health problems. The findings indicated that 44% of male participants experienced a cardiovascular complication, including stroke and heart failure, compared to 31% of female participants. Additionally, 25% and 35% of men developed leg/foot and kidney conditions, respectively, while the corresponding figures for women were 18% and 25%. Overall, diabetic men were found to have a 51% higher likelihood of developing heart problems, 55% higher risk of kidney complications, and 47% greater chance of leg/foot issues compared to diabetic women. Regarding eye complications, the study found little difference between the sexes, with 57% of men and 61% of women developing these conditions. However, men had a 14% higher risk of developing sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. The researchers attributed these sex-based differences to various factors, including higher prevalence of risk factors among men and potential differences in lifestyle choices, preventive measures, and healthcare utilization. They emphasized the need for targeted screening and preventive strategies for men with diabetes to mitigate their elevated health risks.
Study: Male Diabetes Patients Face Higher Health Risks Than Women
