An Urgent Need to Stop Diabetes in Its Tracks

There is no doubt that diabetes is a debilitating disease, making it essential to prevent its onset. Globally, an estimated 529 million people globally live with diabetes, with 90-95% having type 2 diabetes, according to research. This condition significantly increases the risk of developing serious complications, such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, and more. When multiple complications occur together in diabetes patients, they are referred to as multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), which not only accelerate in onset by 15-20 years but also drastically reduce life expectancy.

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A study by Imperial College London, published in Nature Medicine, analyzed data from over 46 million UK adults, finding that by age 50, about a third of those with diabetes had three or more MLTCs, a milestone reached by non-diabetics only around ages 65-70. The younger the diabetes diagnosis, the more severe the MLTCs become with age. Common MLTCs include hypertension, coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis, depression, and asthma.

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Researchers also found that each additional condition could reduce life expectancy by up to four years. Young adults with MLTCs experienced the most significant life expectancy reductions, underscoring the severity of these conditions when they manifest early. Managing and preventing diabetes is critical to reducing the development of MLTCs, and further research is needed to identify effective interventions.

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Category: Education