Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

The aims of this review are to summarize recent data on mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and to determine the interventions that could have contributed to a reduction in mortality.

Recent studies found a downward trend in mortality and CVD among both diabetics and non-diabetics worldwide over the last few decades. The decline among diabetics is steeper than that among non-diabetics. Despite a parallel trend of decline, an approximately twofold difference in mortality and CVD between the two populations remains. A greater emphasis on glycemic control, management of cardiovascular risk factors, quality improvement programs, and advances in treatment of conditions associated diabetes are the factors that potentially contributed to the improvement. Although the trend is encouraging, a rising prevalence of diabetes will continue the absolute disease burden to the society. Future interventions should focus on prevention of diabetes.