Analysis of data from the National Diabetes Audit has identified the increasing number of people with early-onset (age under 40 years) type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Out of 2 642 435 people with T2DM in the registry, 122 780 (4.6%) were aged under 40 years, comprising:
- 650 (0.5%) aged under 16 years.
- 910 (0.7%) aged 16–18 years.
- 8245 (6.7%) aged 19–25 years.
- 112 975 (92.0%) aged 26–39 years.
Individuals with early-onset T2DM were more likely to be from minority ethnic groups: 42% were Black or Asian compared with 21% in older age groups. They were also more likely to be obese, female and to live in areas with the highest socioeconomic deprivation. In addition, they were less likely to achieve target HbA1c levels or to receive the annual care processes recommended by NICE.
People with early-onset T2DM are more likely to experience both earlier and more severe diabetes complications than those with later-onset T2DM. They are also entering what should be the most economically productive period of their lives and they will often have children or elderly relatives to care for. Thus, the personal and public-health implications of developing the condition at this age are severe.
The authors conclude that the growing number of people with early-onset T2DM may require service redesign, as well as more research into optimal treatment methods, to improve their outcomes.
Click here to read the study in full.
Read more: At a glance factsheet: Early-onset and youth-onset type 2 diabetes
