Earlier diabetes diagnosis linked to dementia risk

Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life—before age 50—more likely to develop dementia
Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life—before age 50—are more likely to develop dementia.

Individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age face a greater risk of developing dementia compared to those diagnosed later in life, according to research conducted by experts at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing.

“Our study indicates that early-onset type 2 diabetes may have cognitive consequences. It highlights the need for prevention strategies for dementia that take both diabetes and obesity into account,” said Xiang Qi, assistant professor at NYU Meyers and the study’s lead author.

Type 2 diabetes is a recognized risk factor for dementia. While the exact mechanisms behind this connection are not completely understood, researchers believe that certain characteristics of diabetes—such as high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and inflammation—may contribute to the onset of dementia in the brain.

Type 2 diabetes, once common among older adults, is now increasingly seen in younger individuals. Currently, one in five people with type 2 diabetes globally is under 40 years old.

To investigate how the timing of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is associated with the risk of developing dementia, a research team analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. The study, published in PLOS ONE, included 1,213 U.S. adults aged 50 and older who had type 2 diabetes confirmed by blood tests and did not have dementia when they entered the study. The participants were followed for up to 14 years, during which 216 individuals (17.8%) developed dementia, as determined by follow-up telephone interviews.

The researchers found that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at younger ages were at increased risk for developing dementia compared to those diagnosed at 70 years or older. Adults diagnosed with diabetes before age 50 were 1.9 times as likely to develop dementia as those diagnosed at 70 and older, while those diagnosed between 50-59 years were 1.72 times as likely and those diagnosed between 60-69 years were 1.7 times as likely.

Using linear trend tests, the researchers found a graded association between age at diagnosis and dementia risk: for each year younger a person is at the time of their type 2 diabetes diagnosis, their risk for developing dementia increases by 1.9%.

“While we do not know for sure why an earlier diabetes diagnosis would increase the risk for dementia, prior studies show that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life may experience more vascular complications, poor blood sugar control, and insulin resistance—all of which are known risk factors for cognitive impairment,” said Bei Wu, the Dean’s Professor in Global Health and vice dean for research at NYU Meyers and the study’s senior author.

In addition, obesity appeared to influence the relationship between type 2 diabetes and dementia. Individuals with obesity who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50 had the highest dementia risk in the study.

The researchers note that this greater understanding of the connection between diabetes onset, obesity, and dementia may help inform targeted interventions to prevent dementia.

“Our study highlights the importance of one’s age at diabetes diagnosis and suggests that specifically targeting obesity—whether through diet and exercise or perhaps medication—may play a role in staving off dementia in younger adults with diabetes,” said Wu.

Diabetic foot ulcers – treatment and prevention!


Diabetic foot cream

Diabetic foot cream

Welcome to our latest blog post on the subject of diabetes.  This is the first in a series of posts looking at some the complications of faced by diabetics.    You can check out our previous posts on diabetes here.

As with all our blogs we like to encourage our readers to take part in the discussion and share their stories about treatments and successes.  So please feel free to use the comments box below to add anything you think will be of interest to our readers.

The main reason to spotlight foot ulcers that are caused by diabetes is that they can, in some cases, lead to amputation of the foot.

If you or a loved one have any worries at all about a diabetic foot ulcer or indeed a wound on your feet  please see a healthcare professional as soon as possible; as it has been suggested that one in ten diabetics will go on to develop diabetic foot ulcers.  In fact both Type 1 and type 2 diabetics are susceptible to diabetic foot ulcers.

So what is a diabetic foot ulcer and why is it of particular concern to diabetics? 

Clearly foot ulcers can happen to anyone.  That being said the problem here is that the fluctuation of blood sugar levels means that they are considerably harder to heal due to diabetic neuropathy (or nerve pain).  Because neuropathy can lead to deadened pain sensations this in turn means that even very mild injuries can turn into diabetic foot ulcers.

Clearly prevention is the key issue here.  In particular regular inspections of the feet for any signs of injury.  Another suggestion is daily application of a moisturising cream.

As we mentioned above a foot ulcer can lead to amputation or debridement (which is removal of the damaged flesh).  Before that of course antibiotics are often used as well.  Interestingly hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to reduce the risk of amputation.

As one of the aims of this post is to help our readers share their experiences of diabetic foot ulcers.  It would be great if you could use the following questions as a guide

  • What kind of diabetes do you have?  How long ago were you diagnosed?
  • Have you ever had a diabetic foot ulcer?
  • How the ulcer was treated and was it successful?
  • Have you used hyperbaric oxygen therapy what was it like?
  • What do you do now to prevent diabetic foot ulcers?

These questions are obviously only a guide so please use the comments boxes below to add any part of your story which you think will be of use to other readers.  Feel free to comment and share advice on other peoples comments.    Any links to other sites would be great as well.