Does Diabetes Age You By 15 Years?

Filed in archive Information on December 15, 2006

Some scientists claim it does, which is of course not news we want to hear. This 'ageing' can be blamed on weakened immune systems and other complications brought about by diabetes. But is it really this dire?

Canadian researchers found that people with diabetes fell into the high-risk category for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) 15 years earlier than those without diabetes.

People with diabetes are up to four times more likely to have cardiovascular disease as people without diabetes. In the past 5 years, increasing evidence has emerged that lends support to the use of cardioprotective agents, such as statins and Acetylsalicylic acid ( Aspirin ), in patients with diabetes. However, the age at which to start such treatment has been unclear.

To investigate, Gillian Booth from Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues assessed the age at which people with diabetes develop a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

What do you think? Can you be your 'own age'--even younger--with diabetes?