Study finds that diabetes accelerates the onset of severe long-term conditions by 15-20 years, leading to a reduction in life expectancy

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers in the United Kingdom (UK) estimated the onset age, number of years spent, and life loss in diabetes-related multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) among 46 million adults. The study revealed that diabetes hastened the development of severe multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) by 15-20 years and significantly shortened life expectancy. The impact varied across different age groups: in older adults, hypertension, cancer, depression, and coronary heart disease were the primary contributors, while in younger adults, mental health conditions and asthma played a more significant role.

Type 2 diabetes significantly contributes to various forms of morbidity due to insulin resistance, chronic hyperglycemia, and related dysfunctions. It is strongly associated with both microvascular and macrovascular complications, including cardiovascular, eye, foot, and kidney diseases.

A total of 46,748,714 adults aged 20 and older were included in the study. Further, data on socio-demographics, geography, and clinical diagnoses for 35 long-term conditions. Among all the included participants, 7.8% were diagnosed with diabetes. Adults with diabetes showed a higher prevalence of multiple long-term conditions compared to those without diabetes. At 50 years of age, about one-third of the adults with diabetes had at least three multiple long-term conditions, a prevalence not reached in the general population until age 65–70 years.

In conclusion, this study underscores the significant burden of diabetes-related multiple long-term conditions from both individual and community perspectives. The results advocate for better allocation of healthcare resources and informed commissioning decisions, highlighting the importance of developing innovative prevention and treatment strategies for multiple long-term conditions.

References: The burden of diabetes-associated multiple long-term conditions on years of life spent and lost. Gregg, E.W. et al., Nature Medicine (2024), DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03123-2, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03123-2