Daijiworld Media Network - New York
New York, May 14: A landmark study published in the European Heart Journal reveals that individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in adulthood face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease and premature death, debunking the belief that a later diagnosis leads to a better health outlook.
Conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, the study examined over 10,000 adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2001 and 2020 and compared them with more than half a million controls from the general population. The results were clear: adult-onset type 1 diabetes is associated with increased risk of death from all causes—including heart disease, cancer, and infections.
“Smoking, obesity, and poor glucose control are the primary culprits,” said Yuxia Wei, first author and postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Environmental Medicine. “We also noted that adults with type 1 diabetes were less likely to use insulin pumps or other assistive devices.”
Although traditionally considered a childhood condition, type 1 diabetes can begin at any age. Yet, research on adult-onset cases has been limited. This new study focused particularly on people diagnosed after age 40, a group for whom little was previously known.
The findings challenge assumptions about prognosis. “Being diagnosed later in life doesn’t make the disease less serious,” emphasized Dr. Sofia Carlsson, senior author and associate professor. “But our study also shows that outcomes can be greatly improved with better glucose control, smoking cessation, and weight management.”
The team intends to deepen its research into adult-onset type 1 diabetes by exploring risk factors, complications, and the potential benefits of advanced treatments like insulin pumps.
The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Diabetes Foundation, with no conflicts of interest reported.
As type 1 diabetes becomes increasingly recognized across all age groups, this study highlights the urgent need for tailored care and early intervention in adults facing this lifelong condition.