A recent international study has issued a stark warning that individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, especially at younger ages, may experience a significant reduction in life expectancy.
Even those diagnosed at the age of 30 could see their life expectancy fall by as much as 14 years, while those diagnosed at age 50 might lose up to six years, according to data from 19 high-income countries.
The study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, underscores the urgent need for interventions aimed at preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes.
This call to action is particularly pressing as the prevalence of diabetes among younger adults is increasing globally, largely driven by rising levels of obesity, unhealthy dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles.
In 2021, an estimated 537 million adults worldwide had diabetes, with a growing number being diagnosed at younger ages.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of various complications, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems, and cancer. Previous estimates have indicated that, on average, adults with Type 2 diabetes die six years earlier than those without the condition.
However, the study aimed to shed light on how age at diagnosis influences this reduction in life expectancy.
Analyzing data from two major international studies, the researchers found that the earlier an individual is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the greater the reduction in life expectancy.
On average, each decade earlier in life that a person is diagnosed with diabetes is associated with roughly four years of reduced life expectancy.
Using U.S. population data, it was estimated that individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at ages 30, 40, and 50 die, on average, about 14, 10, and 6 years earlier, respectively, than those without the condition.
The estimates were slightly higher for women (16, 11, and 7 years earlier) than for men (14, 9, and 5 years earlier).
These findings held true when analyzing European data, where individuals with Type 2 diabetes were estimated to die about 13, 9, or 5 years earlier, respectively.
The majority of the reduction in life expectancy associated with diabetes was attributed to “vascular deaths,” including conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms. Other complications, such as cancer, also contributed to the lowered life expectancy.
Professor Emanuele Di Angelantonio from the University of Cambridge emphasized that Type 2 diabetes is increasingly affecting younger adults, making them vulnerable to much shorter life expectancies than they might otherwise have had.
Dr. Stephen Kaptoge, also from the University of Cambridge, emphasized the importance of prevention and early intervention.
Identifying individuals at the highest risk and offering support, whether through behavior changes or medication, could be crucial in preventing or delaying the onset of the condition.
Additionally, structural changes in society, such as food manufacturing and urban planning, should be considered to promote healthier lifestyles.
Professor Naveed Sattar from the University of Glasgow pointed out that early detection through screening and intensive glucose management could help prevent long-term complications associated with diabetes.
In conclusion, the study’s findings underscore the significance of addressing the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, especially among younger adults.
Preventing or delaying diabetes through targeted interventions and lifestyle modifications should be a top priority to improve overall health and increase life expectancy.
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The research findings can be found in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
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