Showing neuropathy is related to increased mortality in diabetic patients - a survival analysis using an accelerated failure time model

Diabetic subjects still have a reduced life expectancy despite many potenti al advances in patient care. Furthermore, population-based studies in well- defined cohorts of patients, to investigate the reduced life expectancies, are generally lacking. Computerized baseline data on a cohort of diabetic p atients first attending our clinic during 1982-1985 were used to identify r isk factors for increased mortality. This was carried out using an accelera ted failure time (ACF) model. Out of 794 patients entered into the model, 2 01 (25.3%) patients died between 1982 and 1995. Baseline microvascular diab etic complications (peripheral sensory neuropathy and nephropathy) were fou nd to be associated with increased mortality in patients, indicating that t hese are important, often overlooked, markers for those at greatest risk. P atients with type I (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus were also identif ied as being at greater risk. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights res erved.