Type 2 Diabetes May Bring an Overlooked Risk for Women, Study Finds
Men were found to be more likely to receive a following diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or kidney failure.
A recent study suggests that women with type 2 diabetes may face an increased risk of developing mental health conditions compared to men. Researchers from Queen Mary University, London, found that approximately 8% of women in the study experienced a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety, following their diagnosis, while only 5% of men did so.
The study, published in PLOS Medicine in August, followed nearly 29,000 individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2010 and 2020. The findings indicate that mental health conditions may emerge as one of the earliest signs of the disease for women, even before any physical complications appear. Dr. Fabiola Eto, the study's lead researcher, noted that this could be due to the challenges women face in adhering to medication, monitoring blood sugar levels, and attending appointments, as well as broader struggles with self-care.
Men, on the other hand, were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, possibly due to hormonal differences. The study emphasizes the need to consider mental health screening and treatment as part of routine diabetes care, especially for younger women, who may be more susceptible to the psychological impact of a lifelong metabolic condition.
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