People under 40 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are four times more likely to die than the general population: study

A new study conducted at Oxford University's Radcliffe School of Medicine has found that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 40 are nearly four times more likely to die than the general UK population.

study now published in Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinologyevaluated whether the morbidity and mortality rates of young-onset type 2 diabetes differ compared to patients diagnosed at an older age.

They found that adults with late-onset type 2 diabetes had a 1.5 times higher risk of death compared to the general population, but this was much lower than the increased risk of death for people diagnosed at a younger age. year.

“Over the past 30 years, the number of young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased significantly around the world,” said co-author Amanda Adler, professor of diabetes medicine and health policy at the University of Oxford.

“Previous evidence suggests that young-onset type 2 diabetes, characterized by early and prolonged exposure to high levels of blood sugar, may be more aggressive than late-onset disease. This may include a rapid decline in the function of beta cells, which produce and release insulin, increasing the risk of complications such as cardiovascular and kidney disease.

The younger you are, the higher your risk of complications and death.

Researchers analyzed the landmark UK Prospective Diabetes Study, which followed 4,550 newly diagnosed participants aged 25 to 65 over 30 years.

They found that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age had a higher risk of death and a higher incidence of diabetes-related complications, particularly microvascular disease such as eye damage and kidney failure. Younger age at diagnosis was also associated with persistently poor glycemic control.

Quality care is essential for young people with type 2 diabetes

Dr Beryl Lynn from the University of Sydney, lead author of the study and honorary research fellow at the University of Oxford's Radcliffe School of Medicine, said: 'Our data show that young people with type 2 diabetes can be proactively identified and provided with high-quality care. It confirms the need to provide this.” For the rest of their lives.

“Clinical trials focused on young people are urgently needed to develop personalized treatments that prevent or delay complications such as kidney and heart disease and, crucially, reduce the risk of premature death. is.”

Researchers warn that early and long-term exposure to high blood sugar levels over the course of young people with type 2 diabetes may further increase the risk of complications and shorten life expectancy.

“We particularly need to understand why young people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of complications and how we can identify and support this vulnerable population who have to live with diabetes for the rest of their lives. ” Dr. Lin added.