Type 2 Diabetes in Women: Differences and Difficulties

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle modification, along with medication, has improved the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the treatment of diabetes in women still lacks a gender-centric approach.

Methods: Expert opinions to improve diabetes management in women were collated from the open discussion forum organized by the sixth Jothydev's Professional Education Forum Diabetes Convention, which included global diabetes care experts and the general public. The review is also based on the studies published in electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar that discussed the problems and challenges faced by the Indian diabetes care sector in treating women with diabetes.

Results: The complex interplay of biological, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and physiological factors in women with type 2 diabetes has not been well addressed to date. Biological factors such as neurohumoral pathways, sex hormones, genetic predisposition as well as gender-based environmental and behavioural differences must be considered for modern personalized diabetes treatment. Most importantly, pregnant women with diabetes deserve special attention. This vulnerable phase has a marked impact on the future health of both the mother and the offspring.

Conclusion: The review provides an overview of the challenges and issues that exist in the clinical management of diabetes and its complications among women in India. Women-centric clinical approaches should be encouraged for the effective management of diabetes in Indian women.

Keywords: Diabetes; gestational diabetes mellitus; homeostasis; neuropathy; pregnancy; type 2 diabetes; women.