Diabetes mellitus: its impact on women

Diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic illness. It affects approximately 16 million people in the United States, half of whom are undiagnosed. The prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes is higher in women than in men, and more women die each year from diabetes than from breast cancer. Its complications, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and cardiovascular disease, exact a heavy toll on the individual with diabetes, as well as society. Because of its significant morbidity and mortality in women, diabetes deserves a place in the concerns designated "women's health issues." It deserves more research attention and especially more public awareness, since many of its devastating complications can be prevented by improved detection and control. This review examines the available data concerning the impact of diabetes on women, as well as gender differences in the incidence of diabetes and its complications. It will also discuss life cycle issues which are specific to women.