Characteristics, complications and management of a large multiethnic cohort of younger adults with type 2 diabetes

AimsTo describe the characteristics and management of a cohort with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) <40 years.MethodsCross-sectional study of the last visit of 648 adults attending 2 specialist centres in the UK. Differences between the lowest (≤22) vs. highest quintile (≥33) of age of diagnosis were analysed.Results57.9% were female; 45.5% Black or Minority Ethnic origin (91.9% of South Asian origin); median age at diagnosis was 28 years (24–31); diabetes duration of 4.0 years (1.9–7.0); BMI of 33.0 kg/m2 (28.3–38.7). HbA1c of 8.2% (6.8–9.9) with HbA1c >7% in 70%. 71.8% had cholesterol >4 mmol/l, 54.9% triglycerides >1.7 mmol/l, 45% had hypertension, 19.8% retinopathy, 16.9% microalbuminuria. Insulin was used in 43.3%. 27.7% received antihypertensives and 31.5% a statin. Compared to the highest quintile of age of diagnosis, the lowest quintile had more often retinopathy (22.1% vs. 16.9%, p = 0.021), was less on insulin (45.6% vs. 46.4%, p = 0.039) and often managed with diet only (9.6% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.005).ConclusionsThese younger adults with T2DM often have inadequately treated risk factors. In particular, patients from the lowest quintile of age of diagnosis were less aggressively treated. There is a need for tailored strategies to manage this high-risk group.