Comparative disease burden of early-onset and late-onset type 2 diabetes in the U.S.: Evidence from NHANES 2003-2018

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the disease burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in early-onset (age < 40) and late-onset (age ≥ 40) in the U.S.

Methods: Data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2018. Prevalence, number, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in early-onset and late-onset T2D were assessed.

Results: There was a clear and steady upward trend in early-onset T2D, although the prevalence and number of late-onset T2D were higher than early-onset. The average loss of DALYs per capita (DALYs/per) in the early-onset T2D was higher than that in the late-onset. DALYs/per is higher in males than females in both early- and late-onset T2D groups. People living at or below the poverty line and those with education of high school and below had a higher DALYs/per of early-onset T2D. Among individuals with early-onset T2D, the DALYs/per loss was higher in the non-obesity group.

Conclusion: There was a clear upward trend in the prevalence of early-onset T2D, and the loss of DALYs/per in early-onset T2D was higher than that in late-onset T2D. The attribution risk factors, like sex, education levels, income levels, and body mass index, for the burden of early-onset T2D varied, and measures need to be taken to target different populations.

Keywords: Disability‐adjusted life years; Early‐onset; Type 2 diabetes.