Early-Onset T2D Burden Up in Teens, Young Adults

Early-onset T2D is an increasing global health problem for adolescents and young adults, according to a study in The BMJ. A systematic analysis of data from participants aged 15-39 from 204 countries and territories during 1990-2019 found that adolescents and young adults globally had significant increases in the age-standardized incidence rate of T2D (from 117.22 to 183.36 per 100,000 population) and the age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate (from 106.34 to 149.61 per 100,000 population). There was a modest increase in the age-standardized mortality rate, from 0.74 to 0.77 per 100,000 population. Countries with a low-middle and middle sociodemographic index had the highest age-standardized incidence rate and DALY rate in 2019, while countries with a low sociodemographic index had the lowest age-standardized incidence rate but highest mortality rate. In general, women had higher mortality and DALY rates than men among those younger than 30. In all regions, the main attributable risk factor for DALY for early-onset T2D was high BMI.