The Impact of Early Diabetes Diagnosis on Life Expectancy: Study Analyzes Data from 1.51 Million People in 19 High-Income Countries

The Impact of Early Diabetes Diagnosis on Life Expectancy

A recent study conducted by a research team at the University of Cambridge in the UK has shed light on the alarming consequences of early diabetes diagnosis. The study, which analyzed data from 1.51 million individuals in 19 high-income countries, revealed that the earlier someone is exposed to diabetes, the shorter their life expectancy becomes. In fact, young diabetic patients in their 30s face a risk of death from all causes that is more than 2.6 times higher than the general population.

Using health data from the UK Biobank and other sources, the research team compared the all-cause mortality rate according to the age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The findings, published in the prestigious academic journal ‘Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology’, not only highlight the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes worldwide, but also the concerning trend of its diagnosis at a younger age.

Previous research has already shown that adults with type 2 diabetes die an average of 6 years earlier than those without the condition. However, the University of Cambridge study delved deeper into how this reduction in life expectancy varies depending on the age at diagnosis.

The results revealed a clear pattern: individuals diagnosed with diabetes in their 30s faced a 2.64 times higher risk of death from all causes compared to the general population. This risk decreased slightly for individuals diagnosed in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, but remained significant at 2.24 times, 1.79 times, 1.55 times, and 1.41 times higher respectively.

To obtain these results, the research team carefully adjusted for various risk factors such as age, sex, smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Altogether, the researchers found that for every 10-year difference in diabetes diagnosis, life expectancy decreased by 3 to 4 years.

Perhaps the most alarming finding was that individuals diagnosed with diabetes in their 30s died on average 14 years earlier than their peers without the condition. This emphasizes the urgent need for policy intervention to prevent the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes in young adults.

An official from the research team emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and active treatment for young adults with diabetes. They stressed that being aware of the potential risks and seeking appropriate medical care is crucial in preventing early death and improving overall health outcomes.

Conclusion

The University of Cambridge study provides compelling evidence that early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes significantly impacts life expectancy. With the global incidence of this chronic condition on the rise, it is imperative that healthcare systems and policymakers prioritize efforts to raise awareness, provide preventive measures, and ensure better management of diabetes across all age groups.

About the Author

Daeik Kwon
Medical Reporter
dkwon@hankookilbo.com

[건강이 최고] The results of a study conducted on 1.51 million people in 19 high-income countries by a research team at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Research has shown that the earlier someone is exposed to diabetes, the shorter the life expectancy. In particular, the risk of death from all causes for young diabetic patients in their 30s is more than 2.6 times higher than the general population.

This is the result of a comparative analysis of the all-cause mortality rate by age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (adult diabetes) by the ERFC research team at the University of Cambridge in the UK, based on health data from 1,515,718 people in the UK. 19 high income countries.

The results of the research were recently published in the international academic journal ‘Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology’.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide due to increased genetic, obesity, nutritional and environmental risk factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 537 million adults worldwide will suffer from type 2 diabetes as of 2021, and is concerned that the age at which diabetes is diagnosed is getting younger.

In fact, previous research has shown that adults with type 2 diabetes die an average of 6 years earlier than adults without diabetes.

However, research results on how this reduction in average life expectancy changes depending on age at diagnosis.

The research team used health data from 1,515,718 people recruited from 19 high-income countries between 1980 and 2013, including data from the UK Biobank, to determine the association between age at diabetes diagnosis and risk of death from all causes and lower life expectancy. -case fatality rates were compared and analyzed based on diabetes diagnosis and age at diagnosis.

As a result, those diagnosed with diabetes in their 30s had a 2.64 times higher risk of death from all causes than the general population without diabetes.

Those diagnosed in their 40s had a 2.24 times higher risk of death, and those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s had a 1.79 times, 1.55 times, and 1.41 times risk of death, respectively.

These results are adjusted for risk factors such as age, sex, smoking, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (maximum), and total cholesterol.

Overall, the research team interpreted that as diabetes was diagnosed 10 years earlier, life expectancy decreased by 3 to 4 years.

In fact, those diagnosed with diabetes at age 30 died an average of 14 years earlier than the general population.

An official from the research team said, “This study revealed that early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has a significant impact on reducing life expectancy. As the incidence of type 2 diabetes in young people is increasing, policy intervention is needed to prevent the disease. ” “It’s necessary,” he explained.

This officer also emphasized, “Young adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes must remember that they are at risk of early death and should receive active treatment.”

Daeik Kwon Medical reporter dkwon@hankookilbo.com

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