The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the youth in southern India—An ancillary analysis of the Secular TRends in DiabEtes in India (STRiDE-I) study

Background

We studied the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its associated risk factors in younger (20 and 39 years) and older individuals (≥40 years) over a 10-year period.

Methods

Epidemiological surveys in 2006 (n = 7066) and 2016 (n = 9848) were conducted in similar urban and rural locations of southern India among people aged ≥20 years. Diagnosis of T2DM was made using World Health Organization criteria. Self-reported diabetes was verified from medical records. Age and gender standardized prevalence and incidence rates, percentage change in obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were calculated. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using Poisson regression analyses. Primary study was registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03490136.

Results

In 10 years, the prevalence of T2DM increased in younger (7.8% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.0001) and older individuals (34% vs. 28.4%, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, family history of diabetes, and waist circumference, younger individuals showed a higher percentage increase in prevalence than the older group (PR = 1.36 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–1.62], p = 0.001) versus (PR = 1.11 [95% CI, 1.02–1.20], p = 0.02). Increase in rates of obesity and dyslipidemia was also higher in the younger than in the older individuals. In 10 years, incidence of T2DM increased by 120% (1.1% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.0001) and 150% (5% vs. 2%, p < 0.0001) in the younger and older individuals, respectively.

Conclusions

Higher percentage increase in prevalence of T2DM was seen among younger individuals over a 10-year period. Obesity and family history of diabetes were shown to be the primary contributing factors for the rise in prevalence.