🧠 Age at Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and Dementia Risk

Getting type 2 diabetes before age 50, especially in combination with obesity, could nearly triple the risk of dementia later in life.

Published In: PLOS ONE
Date: November 2024
Authors: Qi et al.
Link to Study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0310964

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Summary

This long-term study followed over 1,200 adults with type 2 diabetes for up to 14 years. It found that the younger someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the higher their risk of developing dementia later in life. Obesity made this risk even worse.  Obese individuals diagnosed before age 50 had the highest risk. The findings suggest that early-onset diabetes and obesity together may significantly increase dementia risk.

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Key Takeaways

✅ People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50 had nearly twice the risk of dementia compared to those diagnosed after 70.
✅ Obesity significantly amplified this risk, especially for those with early diabetes onset.
✅ The dementia risk rose gradually with each younger age category at diagnosis.
✅ The increased risk was present regardless of blood sugar control or insulin use.
✅ Managing weight may help reduce dementia risk in younger people with diabetes.

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Why It Matters for You

If you or a loved one developed type 2 diabetes at a younger age, especially with obesity, now is a critical time to focus on healthy lifestyle changes. Managing weight, staying active, and monitoring diabetes closely could protect your brain health in the future.

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Citation

Qi, X., Zhu, Z., Luo, H., Schwartz, M.D., & Wu, B. (2024). Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes. PLOS ONE, 19(11), e0310964. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0310964