Prediction and management of diabetes for men's health

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to invite you to participate in the preparation and subsequent endorsement of this special issue of the Journal of Men's Health dedicated to the prevention and management of diabetes. Diabetes prevalence and mortality continue to increase worldwide. In 2017, the International Diabetes Federation predicted that the number of people with diabetes worldwide would increase from 422 million today to about 700 million by 2045. Also, A new study suggests that the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may have played a role in the rise of diabetes. The link between COVID-19 infection and the development of diabetes was only seen in men, which doctors believe may be due to a male-specific immune response to the virus. New research on diabetes risk and management in men during the COVID-19 pandemic is therefore needed.

The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are obesity, physical inactivity, sleep deprivation and a high-calorie, high-fat diet. In addition, a recent study in men found that a decrease in limb muscle mass in young men was associated with almost a doubling of the risk of developing diabetes. High and maintained limb muscle mass was associated with a lower risk of diabetes, regardless of obesity status. However, the limitations of previous studies are that they have been conducted in a single area or a small group of people, and most have been limited to examining individual risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. The aim of this special issue is to advance current knowledge of the mechanisms involved, focusing on modifiable factors such as physical activity and dietary factors, sociodemographic factors, health risk behaviours and others. In particular, studies on the identification of multiple risk factors for diabetes in men and the relationship between the cluster of risk factors and diabetes are particularly welcome. All levels of evidence (observational, cross-sectional, prospective, case-control and randomised clinical trials) will be considered. Review articles, especially systematic reviews, meta-analyses are also welcome. This special issue provides an opportunity to address the following topics, among others: 

- Diagnosis and management of diabetes in men;

- Prevention and management of diabetes;

- Optimal choice of therapies;

- Prediction of diabetes in the high-risk group in men;

- Quality of life in men with diabetes.

Dr. Prof. Haewon Byeon

Guest editor