CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETES DEPENDING ON AGE AT ONSET

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the cardio-metabolic profile between younger (< 45 years) and older (≥ 45 years) people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study including 910 persons with newly diagnosed T2DM and registered at the Clinical Center of Diabetes Cluj-Napoca was carried out between 2006 - 2008. Results: The mean age was 40.21±3.60 yrs. in the younger group and 60.08±8.22 yrs. in the older group. Both groups of patients were obese, but the younger-onset group was significantly more obese as measured by body mass index (BMI), than the older group (BMI 32.45 vs. 30.61 kg/m2, p=0.001). The absolute coronary heart disease (CHD) risk level was significantly higher in older than younger individuals (p<0.001). Conclusions: Despite being two decades younger, it is remarkable that many young people with newly diagnosed T2DM have a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.