This study aimed to test whether early-onset (defined as <40 years of age) type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) imparted different risks of microvascular disease to Chinese men and women.
222,537 Chinese patients with T2DM were recruited in 630 hospitals from 106 cities in 30 provinces of China in 2012 using a cross-sectional design. Logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) of male vs. female for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Additive interaction was used to test whether male gender and early-onset T2DM had interactive effects for DR and DN.
More men than women with T2DM had DN (4.5 vs. 3.0%,
Early-onset T2DM increased more risk of microvascular complications in Chinese men than in women, most of increased risks being attributable to longer diabetes durations.