Diabetes mellitus as a cause of premature death in small areas of Spain by socioeconomic level from 2016 to 2020: A multiple-cause approach

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess premature mortality due to Diabetes in small areas of Spain between 2016 and 2020, and its relationship with socioeconomic level and the immediate cause of death. As a secondary objective, we evaluated the effect of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Methods

This was an ecological study of premature mortality due to Diabetes from 2016 to 2020, with a focus on small areas. All deaths in people under 75 years of age due to Diabetes as the underlying cause were included

Results

The final sample comprised 7382 premature deaths in 5967 census tracts. Women living in census tracts with an high level of deprivation(RR=2.40) were at a significantly higher risk. Mortality from Diabetes increased with deprivation, especially people aged 0–54(RR=2.40). People with an immediate cause of death related to a circulatory disease, living in census tracts with an high level of deprivation(RR=3.86) was associated with a significantly greater risk of death with underlying Diabetes. When a disease of the circulatory system was recorded as the immediate cause of death, being 65–74 years (RR=71.01) was associated with a significantly higher risk of premature mortality.

Conclusions

Living in geographic areas with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation is associated with a higher risk of premature death from Diabetes in Spain. This relationship has a greater impact on women, people under 54 years, and people at risk of death caused directly by diseases of the circulatory system. Premature mortality due to diabetes saw a modest increase in 2020.