Patients who suffer from Type 2 diabetes may now get a chance to reduce their risk because of the disease. A new study conducted by a team of researchers from Imperial College London suggests that getting a flu vaccine may help improve the survival rate among Type 2 diabetes patients.
According to the study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), flu vaccine may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes patients being hospitalized with heart failure and stroke, the likelihood of which is increased in case of the disease. The researchers based their conclusion on the findings of a study conducted on 124, 503 adults in the United Kingdom who were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes between 2003 and 2010.
During the study, around 65 percent of the subjects were provided flu vaccine. The team discovered that in comparison to those that did not receive the vaccination, those who did receive the jab showed 30 percent reduced rates of hospitalization for stroke. In addition, they showed 22 percent reduction in hospital admission for heart failure and 15 percent reduction in cases of pneumonia or influenza.
The researchers further found that patients who were vaccinated with flu shot had 24 percent lower risk of death, as compared to those who did not receive a flu vaccination. In addition, there was a 19 percent reduction in the rate of admission for heart attack during flu season among Type 2 diabetes vaccinated with the flu shot.
"Most flu deaths every year occur in people with pre-existing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes. This study suggests the vaccine may have substantial benefits for patients with long-term conditions," lead author of the study, Dr Ezter Vamos said in a press statement.
Vamos further said that flu vaccine may not only help reduce the risk of severe illnesses such as heart attack and stroke, but it may also prevent deaths particularly during the flu season.
The research team says that there have been quite a few studies in the past that looks at the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in diabetes patients. However, the latest study proves that there is a clear advantage of providing flu shots to patients who suffer from Type 2 diabetes.
The following video talks about the truth about flu shots: