Type 2 diabetes patients are at double the risk of developing sepsis

Researchers at the University of Western Australia have revealed that patients with type 2 diabetes face twice the risk of developing sepsis—a severe and life-threatening medical condition that can lead to death—particularly among those under the age of 60.

Sepsis is an extreme immune response to infection, where the body attacks its own tissues and organs instead of fighting off invading microbes. Infections may begin in the skin, lungs, urinary tract, or digestive system, and then spread into the bloodstream.

The study analyzed health data from 157,000 adults between 2008 and 2021, monitoring their health outcomes with a focus on the risk of sepsis. The findings showed that people with type 2 diabetes were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for sepsis compared to those without diabetes.

During the follow-up period, the incidence of sepsis among diabetic patients reached 12%, compared to just 5% among non-diabetics. The highest risk was observed in the 41–50 age group, where diabetic patients were found to be 14.5 times more likely to develop sepsis compared to their healthy peers.

Dr. Wendy Davis, the lead researcher from the university, said: “There is a strong association between diabetes and sepsis, even after adjusting for other risk factors such as age, smoking, insulin use, and chronic conditions like heart failure.”

She added: “The best ways to prevent sepsis are quitting smoking, maintaining good blood sugar control, and reducing diabetes-related complications.”