Endocrine Abstracts

Aims: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) now affects a significant proportion of young people worldwide. ‘X-borough’ contains a strikingly young, diverse population with one of the highest rates of prevalence for adult T2DM in the UK. Our aims were to determine the prevalence and examine the characteristics of young people with T2DM in this population.

Methods: Forty-four young people (<25 years) with T2DM were matched with an equal number of young people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). A retrospective study, utilising diabetes and pathology databases, was conducted.

Results: *Young people with T2DM were mostly female, of non-Caucasian descent (88%: n=41) and typically reported a positive family history of T2DM (97%: n=30). The average age at diagnosis was 15.2 years (n=36) and 25% were diagnosed incidentally (n=16). Average BMI was 33 kg/m² (n=39). Hypertension was diagnosed in 23% (n=40) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 22% of all females. Average HbA1c was 8.3% (n=42) and 27% had abnormal liver function (n=41). The prevalence of T2DM was calculated as 1.33/1000. In contrast, a higher proportion of young people with T1DM were of Caucasian descent. HbA1c was generally higher whilst average BP and BMI values were lower. A smaller number had abnormal liver function, hypertension and PCOS. Clinic non-attendances and hospital admissions were also lower for this group.

Conclusion: This study confirms the growing rise of T2DM with obesity in young people, particularly amongst ethnic minority groups and adds to concern among healthcare providers and commissioners about the need for preventative strategies to tackle this problem.