Long-Term Complications in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes

This study examines the long-term complications of youth onset type 2 diabetes in participants from the TODAY clinical trial. Over a mean follow up of 13.3 years, the cumulative incidence of complications was alarmingly high: hypertension (67.5%), dyslipidemia (51.6%), diabetic kidney disease (54.8%), and nerve disease (32.4%). Retinal disease prevalence rose from 13.7% to 51.0% over 7 years. By young adulthood (mean age 26.4 years), 60.1% of participants had at least one complication, and 28.4% had two or more. Risk factors included minority race/ethnicity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The study highlights the aggressive nature of youth-onset type 2 diabetes and underscores the urgent need for early intervention and tailored management strategies.

This study examines the long-term complications of youth onset type 2 diabetes in participants from the TODAY clinical trial. Over a mean follow up of 13.3 years, the cumulative incidence of complications was alarmingly high: hypertension (67.5%), dyslipidemia (51.6%), diabetic kidney disease (54.8%), and nerve disease (32.4%). Retinal disease prevalence rose from 13.7% to 51.0% over 7 years. By young adulthood (mean age 26.4 years), 60.1% of participants had at least one complication, and 28.4% had two or more. Risk factors included minority race/ethnicity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The study highlights the aggressive nature of youth-onset type 2 diabetes and underscores the urgent need for early intervention and tailored management strategies.