Does Diabetes in Normal Weight Adults Confer the Same Mortality Risk as in Overweight or Obese Adults?

In a meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies (ARIC, CARDIA, CHS, FOS, and MESA; 2764 subjects total), the relative risk of mortality was demonstrated to be nearly two times higher for Type 2 diabetes patients with normal weight than for those who were overweight or obese. More specifically, those with normal weight had an unadjusted 101% higher risk of cardiovascular death. These findings were relatively consistent following adjustment for demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. Dr. Mercedes R. Carnethon and her colleagues are currently investigating the specific causes of mortality in normal weight people with Type 2 diabetes. November 13-17, 2010, Chicago, IL scientificsessions.americanheart.org