AR
UR
A recent study has noted that people with type 2 diabetes tend to suffer more middle-age health issues at a younger age than those without the condition. The study has been conducted by experts from the University of Cambridge with the participation of three million people. During the research, they found that people with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of 57 illnesses. There is an overall 9 percent increased risk of cancer compared to people without illness. Higher risks also include increased chances of developing liver cancer, end-stage kidney disease, neurological problems and severe eyesight issues.
The study also found those with type 2 diabetes suffered such health problems (on an average) five years earlier than those without the medical condition.
Obesity is a leading driver for type 2 diabetes, resulting in about 80-85 percent risk of developing the condition.
Obese people are tend to be up to 80 times more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with a body mass index (BMI) of under 22.
The study is yet to be peer-reviewed and is being presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference online as well as in London. It was conducted using data from the UK Biobank and GP records to examine 116 conditions commonly seen among middle-aged people.
The study found that type 2 diabetes increased the risk of 57 of the health issues compared to people without the condition. Furthermore, people with type 2 diabetes were 5.2 times more prone to having end-stage kidney disease, 4.4 times more at risk of developing liver cancer and 3.2 times more likely to have macular degeneration.
In terms of circulatory conditions, including those affecting the heart, blood vessels or blood, people with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of 23 out of 31 problems.
The study also found links between Type 2 diabetes and a higher risk of poor health across all 11 broad categories. There was a 2.6 times higher risk of developing neurological issues, 2.3 times higher risk of eye problems, 1.9 times higher risk of digestive issues and 1.8 times higher risk of mental health issues.
The study focused on people above the age of 30, with the average age of 50. In the study, experts concluded that higher risks developed when people under the age of 50 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
“The complications of diabetes can be serious and life-threatening. This study illustrates in alarming detail the unacceptable prevalence of poor health in middle-aged people with type 2 diabetes and is a stark reminder of the extensive and serious long-term effects of diabetes on the body," said Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK.
Dr Robertson added that Type 2 diabetes and its resulting complications are not inevitable. Therefore, she called on people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes to ensure measures to reduce this.
"Those living with the condition have continued access to routine care and support to manage it well and avoid or delay complications," she added.
Dr Luanluan Sun, who co-led the study in her previous role as clinical epidemiologist at Cambridge University, underlined that preventing and delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes are critical to reducing the risk of poor health in middle age.
“This study is a stark reminder of the wider implications of type 2 diabetes and obesity for individuals, and for the NHS,” said Jonathan Valabhji, NHS clinical director for diabetes and obesity.
He further urged people to use Diabetes UK’s Know Your Risk tool, adding that the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has been offering crucial support to people in need.
The programme provides necessary advice on healthy eating and exercise to people at risk of diabetes. It has resulted in 18,000 fewer people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in England between 2018 and 2019, a research by the University of Manchester noted.
More than 4.9 million people in the UK are currently living with diabetes, with 90 percent of those diagnosed with type 2. It also includes 850,000 people who are undiagnosed.
According to experts, over 13.6 million people in the UK are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
SOURCE: The NAtional News