In the past two decades, there has been a significant shift in the primary causes of death among individuals with type 2 diabetes in Denmark. According to a new study conducted by researchers at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, cancer is now the leading cause of death for this patient group, a position previously held by cardiovascular diseases. The study, which analyzed data from Danish health registers from 2002 to 2019, shows a nearly halving of the number of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases among diabetics. At the beginning of the period, cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of death among people with type 2 diabetes, but this picture has significantly changed over the years studied.
“This shift in the pattern of causes of death means that individuals with type 2 diabetes today have a cause of death profile similar to that of individuals without diabetes, where cancer is now the most common cause of death,” explains Tinne Laurberg, a physician and Ph.D. at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus.
The researchers point out that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes also causes elevated blood sugar, which can damage both small and large blood vessels, previously resulting in a higher incidence of cardiovascular-related deaths. With over 300,000 Danes living with type 2 diabetes, the results of this study have significant implications for health strategies and prevention programs targeted at this population group.
The work of the researchers emphasizes the importance of continued focus on comprehensive healthcare and prevention of both cardiovascular diseases and cancer among diabetics to improve quality of life and reduce mortality.