Sex and gender differences in diabetes care

Worldwide, many research has been performed to investigate differences between men and women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (the most common type of diabetes). These studies showed that the negative impact of T2D on health is higher among women compared to men. However, whether this phenomenon holds true for the Dutch T2D population is unknown. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate sex and gender differences in diabetes care for patients treated in primary care in the Netherlands. Differences between men and women were investigated in the field of cardiovascular risk, mortality, cancer, well-being self-management and evaluation of care.
The results of my thesis showed that quality of diabetes care has improved considerably in the last years in both men and women. Based on my thesis, it is not necessary to fundamentally change care for men or women with T2D. However, there are a few areas of concern which need extra attention. In women with T2D special attention is needed for obesity and smoking because these risk factors have not improved in the last few years. In men with T2D, weight control should be emphasized to prevent the ever increasing prevalence of obesity. In addition, the incidence of ovarian, endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancer is higher among women with T2D compared to women in the general population. An increased awareness for symptoms related to these cancers might therefore be needed.