Comorbidities associated with type 2 diabetes include heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye problems like diabetic retinopathy.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Multifaceted Health Challenge
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a widespread health issue, affecting millions worldwide. This condition, characterised by the body's inability to respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels, often co-exists with a variety of comorbidities that significantly impact morbidity and quality of life.
One of the most prevalent comorbidities in T2DM is hypertension, increasing all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes report raised blood pressure or take medication to lower it.
Another close association is observed between T2DM and obesity, with 90% of adults with T2DM being overweight or obese. This connection may contribute to T2DM through high lipid levels impairing pancreas function or causing insulin resistance.
Mental health complications are also common in people with T2DM. Depression, anger, stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are not uncommon. Dyslipidemia, a condition characterised by abnormal levels of fatty substances in the blood, is also common in individuals with T2DM.
Other comorbidities associated with T2DM include musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain, infections, microvascular complications, cognitive decline and dementia, cardiovascular diseases, hearing loss, foot ulcers and infections, and skin conditions.
Effective management strategies for these comorbidities focus on controlling blood glucose and blood pressure, preventing infections, addressing mental health, and enhancing overall lifestyle. Blood pressure control, glycemic control, regular screening and multidisciplinary care, pain management, infection prevention, lifestyle interventions, and regular monitoring and early intervention are key to managing T2DM and its associated complications.
It's worth noting that the risk of comorbidities increases with age in people with T2DM. Obesity is a significant health issue in the United States, with nearly all adults over the age of 20 having overweight or obesity. Sleep disturbance affects between 75% and 80% of people with T2DM.
A person with poorly managed T2DM may develop other health problems and diseases. For instance, there is an association between T2DM and the chance of developing some cancer types, including liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, and colon cancer.
Heart disease is a significant risk for people with T2DM, with approximately 30% of people with T2DM having heart disease. The primary cause of kidney failure is T2DM, according to the National Kidney Foundation. T2DM can cause impairment in the kidneys’ function due to high blood sugar levels affecting the kidneys’ blood vessels.
Common sleep disorders that a person with T2DM may experience can include restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and insomnia. People with diabetes are more likely to experience depression compared with people without diabetes. However, only 25 to 50% of individuals who have diabetes and develop depression actually receive a diagnosis and treatment.
In summary, T2DM is frequently accompanied by cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, psychiatric, infectious, and microvascular comorbidities, which significantly impact morbidity and quality of life. Effective management requires comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategies focusing on controlling blood glucose and blood pressure, preventing infections, addressing mental health, and enhancing overall lifestyle.
- Science continues to explore the links between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and chronic diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular health, and neurological disorders.
- Poor sleep is a common condition among people with T2DM, affecting 75% to 80% of individuals, potentially exacerbating their health issues.
- Communities suffering from autoimmune disorders, eye health problems, digestive health issues, respiratory conditions, hearing loss, and skin conditions may also face an increased risk of developing T2DM.
- Mental health complications, like depression, anger, stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, are more prevalent in people with T2DM, with only a fraction receiving proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Besides obesity, dyslipidemia, a condition marked by abnormal lipid levels, is another health comorbidity often seen in individuals with T2DM.
- Comorbidities associated with T2DM, such as hypertension, kidney disease, and various cancers, can significantly increase the risk of mortality and reduce the quality of life of those affected.
- Effective management of T2DM and its related comorbidities necessitates strategies addressing blood glucose and blood pressure control, mental health, prevention of infections, and overall lifestyle improvements.
- Beyond diabetes management, it is crucial to consider the various health-and-wellness implications that can result from poorly managed T2DM, including strained cardiovascular-health, mental-health, and multiple other medical-conditions.
