People with Diabetes Die 10 Years Younger

Lisa Franchi January 19, 2017

New research by the University of Oxford has found that people with type 2 diabetes – the one associated with obesity – are twice as likely to die before they reach 75 compared with those who don’t have the condition. Meanwhile, those who were diagnosed of diabetes at age 50 had a life expectancy 10 years lower than others.

The study involved half a million Chinese people. But the lead investigator, Professor Zhengming Chen from Oxford University, say this doesn’t have to be the case. He said lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of early death associated with diabetes. However, public health officials say that the fatty and sweet Western diet which is very popular worldwide, makes it difficult for people to make said healthy changes.

’As the prevalence of diabetes in young adults increases and the adult population grows, the annual number of deaths related to diabetes is likely to continue to increase, unless there is substantial improvement in prevention and management,’ said Professor Chen.

The new findings, published in JAMA, also show that diabetes raises the risk of dying from chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, infection and cancer of the liver, pancreas and breast.

The researchers found that, compared with adults without diabetes, individuals with diabetes had twice the risk of dying during the follow up period, with the increase higher in rural areas.

’Among adults in China, diabetes was associated with increased mortality from a range of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases.’ said Professor Chen.

Diabetes is a major health concern in Britain. Just last year, the number of diabetic people in the UK tipped over the 4 million mark for the first time. Rates of diagnosis have soared by 65 per cent over the past decade.

’In the UK patients are generally well managed thanks to the healthcare system, which is not the case in China, especially in rural areas.’ Prof Chen notes.

’There is no need for them to be unnecessarily alarmed. But they must remember the importance of physical activity and a good diet. It is vital patients listen to their GP.’

Source of this article:

Diabetes cuts life by 10 YEARS: People diagnosed with the condition at 50 ’are twice as likely to die before 75’

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