A large analysis of anonymised health records published in PLOS Medicine reports that people with type 2 diabetes experience markedly different health trajectories after diagnosis depending on sex. Women were more likely to develop mental health conditions, while men were more likely to progress to cardiovascular disease and end-stage renal disease.
Key findings from the cohort
The research, led by Fabiola Eto from Queen Mary University of London, examined records of 28,720 people in the UK who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2010 and 2020. Men made up 62% of the cohort and the median age at diagnosis was 54 years; women were on average older at diagnosis.
- 39% of participants experienced at least one significant health event in the years following diagnosis.
- Women were more likely than men to develop mental health conditions after diagnosis: 8.1% versus 5.3%.
- Men had higher proportions of cardiovascular disease (8.4% v 5.3%), end-stage renal disease, and hypertension (21.1% v 20.2%).
Globally, type 2 diabetes affects an estimated 536.6 million people aged 20–79, or about 10.5% of that age group; the number is projected to rise to 700 million by 2045, the authors note.
Implications for care and services
The study highlights distinct care needs after a diabetes diagnosis. The authors observed that women used more health services and had more long-term prescriptions on average, which may partly explain higher detection of mental health conditions among women in the dataset.
For clinicians and health services, the findings suggest:
- Heightened attention to screening for depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders in women with new type 2 diabetes diagnoses.
- Continued emphasis on cardiovascular and renal risk assessment and aggressive risk-factor management in men with type 2 diabetes.
- Integrated multidisciplinary care models that address both physical and mental-health needs across sexes.
A simple snapshot of some comparative outcomes from the study is shown below.
| Outcome | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Mental health conditions | 8.1% | 5.3% |
| Cardiovascular disease | 5.3% | 8.4% |
| Hypertension | 20.2% | 21.1% |
The authors caution that detection rates can be influenced by health‑seeking behaviour and service use. As the study notes, greater engagement with health services and higher prescription use among women may contribute to higher diagnosis rates of mental-health conditions.
"Type 2 diabetes affects about 536.6 million people between 20 and 79 years old,"the study records, underscoring the global scale of the problem.
Local relevance and next steps
While this analysis used UK records, its conclusions are relevant to South Africa, where the burden of diabetes and its complications is high and rising. Health systems that separate physical and mental health care risk missing opportunities to detect and manage coexisting conditions early.
Policy planners and clinicians should consider sex-sensitive approaches to screening and follow-up after a diabetes diagnosis, including routine mental-health screening for women and vigilant cardiovascular and renal surveillance for men. Community-level education on recognising signs of depression and anxiety in people with diabetes could help improve early referral and treatment.
People living with diabetes should continue to attend follow-up appointments, discuss mood and stress with their healthcare provider, and not hesitate to seek help if they experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, dizziness or breathlessness. Health information is a guide and not a substitute for clinical advice — consult your doctor, clinic or diabetes nurse for personalised care.
