A study found that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 50, especially those with obesity, have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia later in life compared to those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an older age. Specifically, the study showed that: Participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50 were 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia compared to those diagnosed at age 70 or older. Participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between ages 50-59 and 60-69 had a 1.72 and 1.7 times higher risk of dementia, respectively, compared to those diagnosed at 70 or older. Participants with obesity who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50 had the highest dementia risk, equivalent to 3 times the risk of those without obesity who were diagnosed after age 50. The researchers suggest that the earlier onset of type 2 diabetes, which is becoming more common globally, could lead to a future wave of dementia cases as these individuals age. They emphasize the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce dementia risk in younger individuals with type 2 diabetes, especially those with obesity.
