Researchers warn that even a late diagnosis is no guarantee of safety. However, lifestyle adjustments have the potential to reverse the trend. 

In a key new Swedish study, scientists discovered that getting type 1 diabetes as an adult significantly raises the risk of heart disease, infections, cancer, and possibly premature mortality. The findings call into question a long-held idea that receiving a diagnosis later in life results in milder consequences. 

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, a major medical university, conducted the study, which was published in the European Heart Journal. It evaluated the health records of over 10,000 persons diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2001 and 2020. These individuals were compared to nearly 500,000 others of similar age and background who did not have diabetes. 

Type 1 diabetes is frequently thought of as a juvenile disease. However, this disorder can occur at any age, as the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Adult-onset type 1 diabetes occurs when the condition develops during maturity. 

The study's principal author, Dr Yuxia Wei, identifies smoking, obesity, and poor glucose control as major factors contributing to poor outcomes. "We discovered that people with adult-onset diabetes were less likely to use insulin pumps or other supportive tools." 

Insulin pumps maintain blood sugar levels more consistently than regular injections. Good glucose regulation is essential for preventing damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. When this management is weak, blood sugar levels fluctuate unpredictably, straining the body and increasing long-term hazards. 

According to the study, those who got type 1 diabetes as adults were more likely to die from any cause, including cancer and infections, as well as cardiovascular illness (such as heart attacks and strokes). 

"Even when diagnosed after the age of 40, the disease can be very dangerous," says Dr Sofia Carlsson, the project's chief researcher. 
"But we also show that the outlook can be greatly improved by avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and improving blood sugar control.. 

In other words, while the hazards exist, they are not unavoidable. 

A striking finding was that many adults with type 1 diabetes did not use current treatment choices such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or insulin pumps. These gadgets assist people in maintaining safe blood sugar levels and lessen the everyday strain of illness management. 

We are still investigating the causes of this underuse, which could include access, awareness, and healthcare system restrictions. 

The study team intends to dig deeper. Future research will investigate why certain individuals develop type 1 diabetes, as well as how they respond to microvascular problems, which affect small blood arteries such as those in the eyes and kidneys. 

They will also look into how effective newer technologies are for adults, not just youngsters. 

"We hope to shed light on these issues in the coming years," Carlsson tells me. 

Despite the Swedish origin of this study, its findings hold global significance. India, for example, is experiencing an increase in adult-onset type 1 diabetes, although public awareness remains low. Many adult patients may be unrecognised or misdiagnosed as having type 2 diabetes, which delays adequate treatment and increases long-term risk. 

Given that heart disease is already the top cause of mortality in India, understanding how autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes affect adults is crucial.