In general, men have a significantly higher risk than women of diabetes-related complications. As a result of diabetes, men are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases and diabetic retinopathy and are more likely to develop complications in the legs, feet and kidneys.
A new study involving experts from the University of Sydney has examined gender differences in so-called micro- and macrovascular complications in adults with diabetes. The results are published in the “Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health”.
Men are more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases
The global prevalence of diabetes is similar in men and women. Cardiovascular diseases, on the other hand, generally occur more frequently in men.
However, it was previously unclear whether this gender difference was also reflected in the frequency of diabetes complications. And it was also unclear whether it matters how long people have had diabetes, the researchers report.
To answer these questions, the team used data from the so-called 45 and Up study. Data from a total of 25,713 people who were at least 45 years old and already suffered from diabetes at the start of the study were taken into account.
By evaluating hospital data and billing for medical services, the experts determined which cardiovascular diseases and which complications of the eyes, lower limbs and kidneys occurred in the participants.
Next, the team used so-called multivariate Cox hazard models to determine the association between gender and the occurrence of complications.
How frequently did complications occur?
During an average observation period of ten years, 44 percent of the male participants experienced complications related to cardiovascular diseases, the researchers report.
During the observation period, 57 percent of the men had complications related to the eyes, 25 percent had complications with the legs or feet and 35 percent had complications with the kidneys.
In contrast, 31 percent of participants had cardiovascular complications, 61 percent had eye complications, 18 percent had leg or foot complications, and 25 percent had kidney complications, the team added.
Men at higher risk of complications
Overall, the risk of cardiovascular disease was 51 percent higher in men with diabetes than in women. The risk of complications on the legs and feet was 47 percent higher in men and the risk of complications on the kidneys was also 55 percent higher in men, the researchers explain.
Although the risk of eye complications was similar in both sexes, men had a 14 percent higher risk of diabetic retinopathy than women, the researchers continued.
While complication rates increased with the number of years of life spent with diabetes in both men and women, the gender difference in complication rates persisted over the years, the team reports.
As possible explanations for the difference in complications, the experts say that men are more likely to suffer from known risk factors and may be less inclined to change their lifestyle, take preventive medication or undergo examinations to reduce their risk.
Prevention strategies required
“While men with diabetes are at higher risk of developing complications, particularly cardiovascular disease, kidney complications and lower limb complications, rates of complications are high in both sexes,” the experts warn in a new press release.
This underlines the need for targeted early detection and prevention strategies for diabetes complications and these should begin at the time of diagnosis, the researchers conclude. (as)