Type 1 diabetes in adulthood increases cardiovascular disease, death risk: Study

IANS May 14, 2025 421 views

A new study has revealed that individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in adulthood face increased risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Yuxia Wei from Karolinska Institutet highlighted smoking, obesity, and poor glucose control as primary factors. The research examined over 10,000 adults diagnosed after age 40, comparing them to a sizeable control group. As findings stress the severe implications of late-onset type 1 diabetes, further investigation into its risks and treatment is planned.

"We found that they were less likely to use assistive devices, such as insulin pumps." - Yuxia Wei
Type 1 diabetes in adulthood increases cardiovascular disease, death risk: Study
New Delhi, May 14: People who develop type 1 diabetes in adulthood have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death, according to a new research.

Key Points

1

Adult-onset diabetes raises cardiovascular and death risks

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Study involves over 10,000 adult-onset diabetes cases

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Key factors include smoking, poor glucose control, obesity

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Published in the European Heart Journal

However, those diagnosed later in life do not have a better prognosis than those diagnosed earlier, according to the study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, which pointed to smoking, poor glucose control and obesity as the main risk factors.

Research on adult-onset type 1 diabetes is limited, so the team wanted to investigate the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in this group, particularly for those diagnosed after the age of 40.

The study, published in European Heart Journal, identified 10,184 people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in adulthood between 2001 and 2020 and compared them to 509,172 matched people in the control group.

The study shows that these people with adult-onset type 1 diabetes had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes, including cancer and infections, compared to the control group.

Yuxia Wei, postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, said the main reasons for the poor prognosis are smoking, overweight/obesity and poor glucose control.

“We found that they were less likely to use assistive devices, such as insulin pumps,” Wei added.

Researchers plan to continue investigating adult-onset type 1 diabetes, including risk factors for developing the disease and the prognosis of other outcomes, such as microvascular complications. Optimal treatment in adult-onset type 1 diabetes, including the effect of pump use and other advanced technologies, also needs to be explored.

The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Diabetes Foundation, among others. The researchers report that there are no conflicts of interest.

The results emphasise the seriousness of type 1 diabetes, even when it starts later in life, said the researchers.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This is really concerning! My uncle was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 45 and passed away from a heart attack last year. We need more awareness about diabetes management in India, especially for late-onset cases. The government should make glucose monitoring devices more affordable.
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Rahul S.
Interesting study but I wish they had more Indian participants. Our diet and lifestyle is very different from Sweden. Desi food is high in carbs which makes glucose control extra challenging. Maybe AIIMS could conduct similar research here?
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Anjali M.
As someone diagnosed at 38, this hits close to home 😔 The insulin pump costs ₹3 lakh+ in India - completely unaffordable for middle class families. Why can't our health ministry negotiate better prices like they did for COVID vaccines?
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Vikram J.
Good research but the article doesn't mention prevention strategies. We need to promote yoga and ayurvedic diets alongside modern medicine. My grandfather reversed his prediabetes with these methods - Western studies often ignore our traditional knowledge.
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Sunita R.
The smoking connection is worrying - so many Indian men smoke beedi even after diabetes diagnosis. We need stricter warnings on tobacco products and better counseling at government hospitals. Health workers should be trained to address this specifically.
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Karan P.
While the findings are important, I'm concerned this might create unnecessary panic. My mother was diagnosed at 50 and is managing well with disciplined diet and exercise. Not all cases are the same - we need balanced reporting on such studies.

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Tags:
Adult-onset diabetes Cardiovascular disease Type 1 diabetes risk factors Karolinska Institutet Yuxia Wei