By Colin Kenny, Editor – Diabetes Distilled
Young-onset type 2 diabetes (YOD) is defined as onset before age 40 years and is associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Investigators examined a large cohort of people living with diabetes to see whether those aged 40 and less had higher rates of hospital admissions, and also whether they had a higher incidence of mental illness. Investigators found that compared with normal-onset type 2 diabetes, YOD was associated with excess hospitalisations across the cohort’s lifespan. They also identified a larger burden of mental illness in young adulthood than they had expected.
Hong Kong-based investigators wondered whether YOD, as well as being associated with excess morbidity and mortality, was related to increased hospital admissions and mental illness. They conducted a prospective cohort study using a large registry of over 20,000 patients living with diabetes across an age range from 20 to 75 years. They examined all-cause and cause-specific hospitalisation rates by comparing different age groups.
It was discovered that patients with YOD had the highest hospitalisation rates by attained age compared with usual-onset type 2 diabetes. Mental illness accounted for over one-third of YOD bed-days before age 40.
Investigators went on to suggest that intensified risk-factor control in YOD is important. They advocate efforts to prevent YOD and intensify cardiometabolic risk-factor control. The also recommend focusing on mental health in YOD.
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