--- title: "Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in the…" description: "Higher HbA1c levels are continuously linked to increased mortality risk in men, even in those without diagnosed diabetes, suggesting a need for broader…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html" type: "study" study_key: "d11141143" journal: "BMJ" year: 2001 pmid: "11141143" doi: "10.1136/bmj.322.7277.15" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d11141143 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | BMJ | | Year | 2001 | | PMID | [11141143](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11141143/) | | DOI | [10.1136/bmj.322.7277.15](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7277.15) | | Study key | d11141143 | ## Takeaway Higher HbA1c levels are continuously linked to increased mortality risk in men, even in those without diagnosed diabetes, suggesting a need for broader preventive efforts. ## The question Does glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration predict death from cardiovascular and all causes in men? ## Hypothesis The study aims to examine the value of HbA1c as a predictor of mortality. ## Methods This was a prospective population study conducted within the Norfolk cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Norfolk). It included 4662 men aged 45-79 years who had baseline HbA1c measurements between 1995-1997 and were followed up until December 1999. Mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, and other causes was assessed. ## Results Men with known diabetes had increased mortality from all causes (relative risk 2.2), cardiovascular disease (relative risk 3.3), and ischaemic disease (relative risk 4.2) compared to men without known diabetes. This increased risk in diabetic men was largely explained by HbA1c concentration. HbA1c was continuously related to subsequent all-cause, cardiovascular, and ischaemic heart disease mortality across the entire population, with the lowest rates observed in those with HbA1c concentrations below 5%. A 1% increase in HbA1c was associated with a 28% increase in the risk of death, independent of other risk factors. Even after excluding men with known diabetes, HbA1c >=7%, or a history of myocardial infarction or stroke, this effect remained (relative risk 1.46). While 18% of the population excess mortality risk associated with HbA1c >=5% occurred in men with diabetes, 82% occurred in men with concentrations of 5%-6.9%. ## Conclusion Glycated haemoglobin concentration appears to explain most of the excess mortality risk associated with diabetes in men and acts as a continuous risk factor across the entire population distribution. Preventive strategies should consider not only individuals with established diabetes but also the potential to reduce the population distribution of HbA1c through behavioral interventions. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > increase of 1% in HbA1c was associated with a 28% increase in risk of death ## Relative Risk of Mortality in Men with Known Diabetes vs. No Known Diabetes | Measure | Relative Risk | | --- | --- | | All Causes | 2.2 | | Cardiovascular Disease | 3.3 | | Ischaemic Heart Disease | 4.2 | *Men with known diabetes showed significantly higher relative risks of mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and ischaemic heart disease compared to men without known diabetes.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | HbA1c Home Kit | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort** BMJ 2001 · [PMID 11141143](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11141143/) · [DOI 10.1136/bmj.322.7277.15](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7277.15) > increase of 1% in HbA1c was associated with a 28% increase in risk of death ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html","name":"Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort","description":"Higher HbA1c levels are continuously linked to increased mortality risk in men, even in those without diagnosed diabetes, suggesting a need for broader…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d11141143.html#study","name":"Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort","headline":"Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort","datePublished":"2001","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"BMJ"},"identifier":"PMID:11141143","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11141143/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7277.15","abstract":"Higher HbA1c levels are continuously linked to increased mortality risk in men, even in those without diagnosed diabetes, suggesting a need for broader preventive efforts."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Evidence: Glycated hemoglobin (3-month glucose)](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s144.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).