Type 2 diabetes may trigger different health risks in men and women

A new study found that type 2 diabetes complications developed differently in men and women. The findings suggest earlier, more tailored monitoring may help identify high-risk patients.Type 2 diabetes: Men face more heart and kidney risks, study findsType 2 diabetes is known to increase the risk of several long-term health problems, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and mental health conditions. But a new study suggests that these complications may not develop in the same way or at the same time in men and women.Researchers found that men with type 2 diabetes were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease or end-stage renal disease, while women were more likely to develop mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and somatoform disorders.The study, published in PLOS Medicine, followed 28,720 people who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2010 and 2020. Researchers used linked primary and secondary healthcare records from the UK and followed participants for a median of 6.8 years.Rather than examining individual complications in isolation, the researchers used a multistate analysis to study the order and timing in which different health conditions developed after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The analysis focused on hypertension, cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal disease and mental health conditions. WOMEN HAD HIGHER RATES OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONSOne of the key findings was the difference in mental health outcomes between men and women.Women with type 2 diabetes were more likely than men to develop a mental health condition after their diabetes diagnosis. These included anxiety, depression and somatoform disorders. Mental health conditions were recorded in 8.1% of women compared with 5.3% of men.The researchers said the findings highlight the importance of considering mental health when assessing the long term health risks of people with type 2 diabetes, particularly among women.MEN HAD GREATER HEART AND KIDNEY RISKSMen were more likely than women to follow a disease trajectory involving cardiovascular disease or end stage renal disease.Around 8.4% of men followed this trajectory compared with 5.3% of women.The study also found that men generally developed complications earlier than women. Women, in comparison, tended to experience the onset of complications later.These differences suggest that the pattern of complications following type 2 diabetes may vary by sex, which could have implications for how patients are monitored over time.HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE WAS THE MOST COMMON COMPLICATIONDespite the differences between men and women, hypertension emerged as the most common complication following a type 2 diabetes diagnosis across age groups and both sexes.It affected 21.1% of men and 20.2% of women in the study.The finding highlights the strong link between diabetes and high blood pressure and the importance of monitoring both conditions as part of long-term diabetes care.MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS WERE LINKED TO EARLIER DEATHThe researchers also examined the relationship between different disease trajectories and mortality.They found that people who developed a mental health condition after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of earlier death.Among people following the same disease trajectory, men died on average nine years younger than women.The study also found differences in healthcare use. Women had higher average healthcare utilisation and long term prescribing than men.Researchers noted that lower healthcare use among men who followed the high risk mental health trajectory could indicate differences in engagement with healthcare services.STUDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR EARLIER MONITORINGThe researchers said tracking the sequence and timing of complications could help identify people with type 2 diabetes who are at greater risk of developing serious health problems.The findings also point towards the potential value of sex specific approaches to diabetes care. Women may require greater attention to mental health, while men may benefit from earlier monitoring for cardiovascular and kidney complications.However, the study has limitations. It was observational, meaning it can identify associations but cannot prove that type 2 diabetes directly caused the differences seen between men and women.The researchers also noted that differences in healthcare seeking and diagnosis could partly explain why mental health conditions were recorded more often among women.Overall, the study suggests that the long term impact of type 2 diabetes may differ between men and women. Understanding these differences could help doctors identify complications earlier and provide more targeted care for people living with the disease.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Aug 31, 2026 11:20 IST