A recent analysis of data from over 200 countries and regions reveals a significant increase in the rates of type 2 diabetes among adolescents and young adults from 1990 to 2019.
This study, published in The BMJ, underscores the pressing need for global action to address this concerning trend.
The Alarming Rise in Early Onset Type 2 Diabetes
Traditionally, type 2 diabetes primarily affected middle-aged and older individuals, carrying with it an elevated risk of severe complications such as heart disease, vision loss, and even death.
However, data suggests that the onset of type 2 diabetes at an earlier age (before 40) is becoming increasingly common.
Despite this, there has been no comprehensive examination of the global burden of early onset type 2 diabetes or its variations based on gender and socioeconomic development.
Key Findings
To bridge these knowledge gaps, researchers utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to estimate new cases (incidence), deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.
They also assessed the proportion of DALYs attributed to various risk factors, considering age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
The study’s findings are concerning:
The age-standardized incidence rate for type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults worldwide increased from 117 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 183 in 2019.
The age-standardized DALY rate rose from 106 per 100,000 in 1990 to 150 per 100,000 in 2019.
The age-standardized mortality rate saw a modest increase from 0.74 per 100,000 in 1990 to 0.77 per 100,000 in 2019.
Sociodemographic Impact
When categorized by countries with varying sociodemographic indexes, those with low-middle and middle indexes experienced the highest incidence and DALY rates in 2019.
Meanwhile, countries with a low sociodemographic index had the lowest incidence rate but the highest mortality rate.
These findings highlight the disproportionate burden of early onset type 2 diabetes in less economically developed regions.
Gender Disparities
Women under the age of 30 had higher mortality and DALY rates than men, but this trend reversed in those over 30, except in low-sociodemographic-index countries.
This suggests complex gender-specific factors at play in the development and management of early onset type 2 diabetes.
Main Attributable Risk Factor: High Body Mass Index
High body mass index (BMI) emerged as the primary attributable risk factor for DALY related to early onset type 2 diabetes across all regions.
However, the contribution of other risk factors varied by region.
In countries with high sociodemographic indexes, ambient particulate air pollution and smoking played a more significant role, whereas household air pollution from solid fuels and a diet low in fruits were more prominent risk factors in countries with low sociodemographic indexes.
Call for Urgent Action
While the study acknowledges some limitations, such as differences in the definition of type 2 diabetes and potential underdiagnosis in certain countries, it provides a comprehensive evaluation of global, regional, and national trends in early onset type 2 diabetes and the contributions of risk factors.
The researchers conclude that their findings clearly indicate a rising burden of early onset type 2 diabetes from 1990 to 2019.
They emphasize the urgent need for global action to address this escalating issue and call for the establishment of specific policies to combat it effectively.
Weight control is identified as a crucial aspect of reducing the early onset type 2 diabetes burden, but addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account sociodemographic factors, gender disparities, and region-specific risk factors.
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The research findings can be found in The BMJ.
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