A recent study published in JAMA Network Open on November 12 highlights a significant increase in mortality risk among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who have lower incomes, particularly among those aged 20 to 39 years.
The study, led by Ji Yoon Kim, M.D., Ph.D., from Korea University College of Medicine, examined the mortality risks associated with income levels in a nationwide cohort of 604,975 adults diagnosed with T2D between 2008 and 2013. These individuals were followed through to December 2019. In comparison, 635,805 age- and sex-matched individuals without diabetes were included as controls.
The findings revealed that individuals with T2D from lower-income brackets had a notably higher risk of mortality compared to their higher-income counterparts, with the disparity most pronounced in younger adults. Specifically, the adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 2.88 for those aged 20 to 39 years, 1.90 for those aged 40 to 59 years, and 1.26 for those aged 60 to 79 years, comparing the lowest income group to the highest.
This income-related mortality gap was particularly evident in cardiovascular-related deaths, although the disparity was less significant for cancer-related deaths.
The researchers concluded that individual income is a key independent risk factor for mortality in individuals with T2D, with the impact being particularly severe for younger patients. This highlights the need for targeted health interventions that address socio-economic factors in managing the long-term effects of diabetes.
Related topics:
Europe’s Diabetes Crisis Demands Urgent Action, Warns New Analysis
Supporting Diabetes Patients in Maintaining Weight Loss: Strategies and Insights
AI Video System Could Revolutionize High Blood Pressure and Diabetes Screening
