Health UK (Commonwealth Union) – Findings from an international team of researchers underscores that an individual diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 30 could potentially experience a staggering reduction in their life expectancy, amounting to as much as 14 years. Even those who receive a diagnosis at the age of 50 may witness a significant decrease of up to six years in their life expectancy, as revealed through an analysis of data from 19 high-income countries published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
These findings underscore the critical need for the development and implementation of interventions to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, particularly given the global surge in the prevalence of diabetes among younger adults. This increase is largely attributed to rising levels of obesity, unhealthy dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles, which have contributed to a rapid upswing in type 2 diabetes cases worldwide. In 2021, it was estimated that 537 million adults worldwide had diabetes, with a growing number diagnosed at younger ages.
Type 2 diabetes significantly elevates an individual’s risk of various complications, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems, and cancer. Previous estimates have suggested that adults with type 2 diabetes typically die about six years earlier than those without the condition. Nevertheless, there has been uncertainty regarding how this average reduction in life expectancy varies based on the age at diagnosis.
To address this question, a team led by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow delved into data from two major international studies—the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration and UK Biobank—comprising a total of 1.5 million individuals.
Their analysis revealed a clear trend: the earlier an individual received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the more pronounced the reduction in their life expectancy. On average, for each decade earlier that diabetes was diagnosed, there was a corresponding reduction of about four years in life expectancy.
Drawing on data from the U.S. population, it was estimated that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at ages 30, 40, and 50 died, on average, about 14, 10, and 6 years earlier, respectively, than individuals without the condition. These estimates were slightly higher for women (16, 11, and 7 years, respectively) than for men (14, 9, and 5 years, respectively).
Comparable findings emerged from analyses using European Union data, with corresponding estimates indicating an average reduction of about 13, 9, or 5 years in life expectancy for those diagnosed at these respective ages.
Professor Emanuele Di Angelantonio of the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute (VPD-HLRI), University of Cambridge, says “Type 2 diabetes used to be seen as a disease that affected older adults, but we’re increasingly seeing people diagnosed earlier in life. As we’ve shown, this means they are at risk of a much shorter life expectancy than they would otherwise have.”
Dr. Stephen Kaptoge, who is also affiliated with the VPD-HLRI, emphasized the potential for prevention of Type 2 diabetes by identifying individuals at the highest risk and offering them support. This support may entail behavioral modifications or the provision of medications to mitigate their risk. Moreover, he underscored the importance of societal changes, such as reforms in food manufacturing and alterations to the built environment that promote increased physical activity.
“Given the impact type 2 diabetes will have on people’s lives, preventing – or at least delaying the onset – of the condition should be an urgent priority.”
The study’s findings revealed that the primary factor contributing to the decrease in life expectancy associated with diabetes was a category referred to as ‘vascular deaths,’ which encompass fatalities stemming from conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms. Additionally, complications like cancer also played a role in diminishing life expectancy.
