Although women typically live longer than men, new research shows that this trend may be reversed for patients with type 1 diabetes. A recently-released study has found that women with the condition are twice as likely to die from heart disease than men, as well as having a 40 percent increased risk of death from any related cause.

The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Queensland in Australia. Researchers pooled resources and analyzed data from 26 studies involving more than 200,000 men and women with type 1 diabetes. The study was published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocryology, and revealed some more startling facts about the risk factors for women suffering from the chronic disease.

It has long been known that people with type 1 diabetes have a shorter life expectancy than the general population, but the breakdown of how the disease affects the longevity of men and women has been unknown until now. In addition to increased risk of death from heart disease and general causes, the study also found that women are at greater risk of strokes and 44 percent more likely to die from kidney disease.

“It is speculated that women with type 1 diabetes tend to have greater difficulties with insulin management and glycaemic control than men – factors that could contribute to their increased risk of heart disease,” said Professor Rachel Huxley, lead researcher of the study.  However, researchers have not yet positively identified the link that causes these increased fatality numbers in women.

Simon O’Neill, Director of Health Intelligence at Diabetes UK, thinks that treatment options may play a big role in the way that type 1 diabetes affects people’s lives. He stresses the urgent need for national health organizations “to improve diabetes care so that all people are offered care that is tailored to their individual needs and so are able to manage their condition effectively and reduce their risk of devastating complications and early death.” He adds, “With the right care and support in place there is no reason why people with type 1 diabetes – both men and women – can’t live long, healthy lives.”

Huxley states that “more research is needed to determine why the disease poses a greater risk to women than men.” The study did not show a link between type 1 diabetes and an increased risk of death from cancer in either gender.