Mortality in type 1 diabetes, affected by social deprivation

The findings of a new research presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Barcelona, Spain proves that levels of social deprivation, as well as how well a patient controls their blood sugar, is an independent risk factor for mortality in people with type 1 diabetes. The research is by the Diabetes Clinical Academic Group at King's Healthcare Partners, UK, and presented by Dr Stephen Thomas, Dept of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT), London. The researchers analyzed blood sugar control (HbA1c levels), demographics and health resource utilization data collected over a 10 year period for a cohort of 1038 patients with type 1 diabetes. Dr Thomas concludes: “Glycaemic control and social deprivation are independent risk factors for mortality in type 1 diabetes and identify areas where we need to target interventions to improve health outcome”. He adds: “This data analysis is ongoing and offers the possibility of much needed insights into where healthcare outcomes need to be addressed”.