A recent investigation published in PLOS Medicine has revealed that the progression of type 2 diabetes is not uniform across genders. Researchers monitored almost 29,000 individuals who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK between 2010 and 2020, aiming to understand the development of related health issues such as cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, hypertension, and mental health disorders over time.
One of the key revelations of the study was the connection between type 2 diabetes and mental health. Individuals of both genders who developed a mental health issue post-diabetes diagnosis exhibited a greater likelihood of premature death compared to those experiencing other health trajectories. Notably, men in this category tended to die approximately nine years earlier than their female counterparts.
This raises the question: what implications does diabetes have for men and women, and is one gender more severely affected than the other?
Dr. Sukirti Misra, a Consultant Endocrinologist at KIMS Hospital in Thane, explains that while diabetes can impact both genders, the associated risks and complications may differ.
“Both men and women are affected by diabetes, but women might have a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues compared to men,” Dr. Misra stated.
There are also specific concerns related to each sex. For instance, women with diabetes may encounter complications during pregnancy, whereas men could face sexual and reproductive health issues.
However, it is misleading to assert that diabetes is inherently more severe in one gender. “The severity of the disease is influenced more by the duration of diabetes, blood sugar management, and the presence of other health conditions than by gender alone,” Dr. Misra noted.
This indicates that factors such as how long a person has been diabetic, the effectiveness of their blood sugar control, and whether they suffer from additional conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol can greatly affect their health outcomes.
“Diabetes harms blood vessels and speeds up atherosclerosis, thereby increasing the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases,” Dr. Misra emphasized.
The risk factors can also vary between genders. “The increase in cardiovascular risk linked to diabetes is often more pronounced in women compared to men,” she added.
Consequently, assessing cardiovascular risk is a crucial aspect of diabetes management, particularly for women. Nonetheless, men with diabetes must also remain conscious of their heart health.
Instead of focusing on which gender has more reason to be concerned, it is essential to recognize that diabetes demands ongoing management for everyone, regardless of gender. However, women might require additional focus on cardiovascular risks due to a higher relative increase associated with diabetes. Additionally, pregnancy necessitates careful blood sugar regulation, and reproductive health should not be neglected.
“Neither gender should underestimate the seriousness of diabetes, but women may need to pay special attention to cardiovascular risks as they can be more pronounced,” Dr. Misra advised.
On the other hand, men should be aware that diabetes can impact their sexual and reproductive health, and any concerns should be openly discussed with a healthcare professional.
Effectively managing diabetes involves more than just monitoring blood sugar levels; it also requires addressing cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
“Maintaining good glucose control, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, engaging in regular physical activity, following a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco use, and keeping a healthy weight can mitigate risks,” Dr. Misra recommended.
Regular health check-ups are vital for early detection of complications. “In the end, everyone diagnosed with diabetes should undergo consistent monitoring of blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, kidney function, and other potential complications,” she concluded.
