Type 1 diabetes can manifest at any age but is predominantly seen in juveniles, though it’s increasingly detected in adults in their 30s or 40s. It’s a complex condition affecting multiple bodily systems, with both biochemical and anatomical ramifications.
Prognosis
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus is strongly linked to elevated morbidity and premature mortality. Research indicates that over 60% of individuals with this condition develop serious complications over time, including blindness, end-stage disease, and, tragically, early death in some instances. Men who develop diabetes before the age of 15 have double the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and proliferative retinopathy compared to women.
Patients with type 1 diabetes who manage to avoid severe complications for 10-20 years tend to maintain relatively good health thereafter. Factors such as patient education, awareness, motivation, and cognitive abilities also influence long-term outcomes.
The morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes stem from both short- and long-term complications, including:
– Hypoglycemia due to management errors
– Increased susceptibility to infections
– Microvascular complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy
– Neuropathic complications
– Macrovascular disease