Global burden of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults, 1990-2019: systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract Objective To estimate the global burden of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) from 1990 to 2019. Design Systematic analysis. Data source Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Participants aged 15-39 years from 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019. Main outcomes measures Age standardised incidence rate, age standardised disability adjusted life years (DALY) rate, and age standardised mortality rate for type 2 diabetes in people aged 15-39 years from 1990 to 2019, and proportional DALY attributable to different risk factors. Results From 1990 to 2019, significant increases in age standardised incidence rate and age standardised DALY rate were found for type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults globally (P30 years except in countries with a low sociodemographic index. The main attributable risk factor for DALY for early onset type 2 diabetes was high body mass index in all regions by sociodemographic index. The proportional contribution of other risk factors varied across regions, however, with higher proportions of ambient particulate air pollution and smoking in countries with a high sociodemographic index and higher proportions of household air pollution from solid fuels and diet low in fruit in countries with a low sociodemographic index. Conclusions Early onset type 2 diabetes is a growing global health problem in adolescents and young adults, especially in countries with a low-middle and middle sociodemographic index. A greater disease burden in women aged <30 years was found. Specific measures are needed in countries with different levels of socioeconomic development because of the variable attributable risk factors for type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults.