New research on the link between type 2 diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease

New research on the link between type 2 diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease highlights improvements in cardiovascular risk in women developing type 2 diabetes despite gender bias in prescriptions.

A study funded by Diabetes UK suggests that type 2 diabetes leads to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) for women today than in the past.

Researchers at the University of Manchester have studied data from nearly 80,000 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, to determine the differences between men and women with respect to the risk of developing diabetes. Having a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.

Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of CVD in all people with the disease. While men with type 2 diabetes have a higher overall CVD risk than women, research has shown that when women develop type 2 diabetes, their CVD risk increases proportionately more than men.

However, this new study, published in circulation, suggests that men and women now experience a similar relative increase in CVD risk when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The researchers used data from people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2006 and 2013, and believe that this new data could put more emphasis on the prevention of CVD as part of the management process. type 2 in recent years, as well as initiatives to improve clinical care such as the quality and results framework (QOF).

The researchers warned, however, that despite these therapeutic improvements, women may not have the same level of care as men, including having them prescribe important drugs, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. ECA or statins, to protect themselves from the future. This is despite the fact that women are more likely than men to have high blood pressure and cholesterol, and have more regular contact with a health care team. The researchers found that this bias was even stronger in women already showing signs of cardiovascular disease.

The research team believes that this difference in prescription may be due to differences in the symptoms of CVD between men and women. They also suggest that this may be due to differences in attitudes to health and the risk of CVD, both among health professionals and people with type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for these differences in prescription.

Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said, "These new findings suggest that the prospects for women with type 2 diabetes are better than expected, thanks to improved care. However, we must ensure that all people with type 2 diabetes benefit from the best possible treatments and care to minimize the risk of life-threatening cardiovascular complications, such as a heart attack or stroke. cerebral. "

Dr. Alison Wright, Senior Researcher at the University of Manchester, said: "Improving the prospects for women with type 2 diabetes is good news and probably reflects improved care in the UK -United. But we can not be complacent; As health professionals, we need to ensure that women receive better care, on a par with men, to address any potential biases related to prescribing.

Dr. Martin Rutter, Senior Researcher at the University of Manchester, said: "More research is now needed to understand the reasons for these differences in prescription between men and women and to find ways to reduce this gap. Research in primary care is particularly necessary because it is here that most people with type 2 diabetes are treated. "

This research was funded by Diabetes UK and was conducted at the University of Manchester.