Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Linked to Significant Drop in Life Expectancy
A recent study from 19 high-income countries has revealed that a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can drastically reduce life expectancy. The research, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, found that individuals diagnosed at age 30 could see their life expectancy decrease by as much as 14 years, while those diagnosed at age 50 may see a reduction of up to six years.
The study, conducted by an international team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow, analyzed data from two major international studies, the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration and UK Biobank, which included a total of 1.5 million individuals. The findings showed that every decade of earlier diagnosis of diabetes was associated with about four years of reduced life expectancy.
The rise in type 2 diabetes cases globally is being driven by increasing levels of obesity, poor diet, and sedentary behavior. In 2021, 537 million adults worldwide were estimated to have diabetes, with a growing number of younger adults being diagnosed with the condition. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing health complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and cancer.
Professor Emanuele Di Angelantonio from the University of Cambridge emphasized the importance of prevention, stating that individuals diagnosed earlier in life are at risk of a much shorter life expectancy than they would otherwise have. The study also found that the majority of the reduction in life expectancy associated with diabetes was due to vascular deaths, such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as other complications like cancer.
The researchers stressed the urgent need to develop and implement interventions to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Dr. Stephen Kaptoge, also from the University of Cambridge, highlighted the importance of identifying those at greatest risk and providing support to make behavioral changes or provide medication to lower their risk.
The study’s findings also suggested that early detection of diabetes through screening followed by intensive glucose management could help prevent long-term complications from the condition. The researchers have called for a focus on preventive strategies and structural changes in society, such as changes to food manufacturing and the built environment to encourage physical activity.
The implications of the study have far-reaching effects on public health, and the researchers have stressed the urgent need for action in addressing the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes among younger adults. The Cambridge team was supported by several organizations, including the Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, and Health Data Research UK.
The study, titled “Life expectancy associated with different ages at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in high-income countries: 23 million person-years of observation,” provides valuable insights into the impact of early diabetes diagnosis on life expectancy and underlines the critical need for preventive measures to address the global rise in type 2 diabetes.