Premature menopause associated with an increased risk of T2D development: JAMA

A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association shows an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) linked to early and premature menopause. Chronic type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases mortality and causes microvascular complications and cardiovascular diseases.

The prevention of type 2 diabetes, early diagnosis, and strict glucose management in the early stages to avoid or postpone consequences have all received more attention recently. Therefore, it is essential to identify people who have risk factors linked to type 2 diabetes and provide them priority screening over other groups. Thus, Byung-Joon Ko and colleagues carried out this study to find out if the incidence of T2D in postmenopausal Korean women is related to the age at menopause and early menopause.

A nationally representative sample of 1,125,378 postmenopausal women without type 2 diabetes who joined in the Korean National Health Insurance Service database in 2009 participated in this population-based cohort research. The follow-up period was 8.4 (8.1-8.7) years, with a median (IQR). In March 2024, data analysis was completed.

The age at menopause and premature menopause (menopause beginning before age 40) were the primary exposures. Incident T2D was the main result. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident T2D by age at menopause were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, controlling for possible covariates.