What are the long-term complications of type 2 diabetes in young people?

Long-term complications can include kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, nerve damage, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and cardiovascular disease . Research shows that some complications can develop by young adulthood in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during childhood or adolescence.(( TODAY Study Group. Long-Term Complications in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;385:416–426. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2100165 ))

How quickly can youth-onset type 2 diabetes complications develop?

Complications can develop relatively early. In the TODAY2 study, participants were an average of 26.4 years old after an average diabetes duration of 13.3 years, and 60.1% had developed at least one diabetes-related complication.(( TODAY Study Group. Long-Term Complications in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;385:416–426. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2100165 ))

Why is youth-onset type 2 diabetes considered aggressive?

Research indicates that insulin resistance and loss of beta-cell function can progress more rapidly in youth-onset type 2 diabetes than in adult-onset disease. This can contribute to worsening blood sugar control and earlier complications.(( National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Study Finds Risk of Serious Complications from Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/professionals/diabetes-discoveries-practice/study-finds-risk-complications-youth-type-2-diabetes ))

Can complications from youth-onset type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Not every complication can be prevented, but managing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol and receiving recommended kidney, eye, nerve and foot screening can address important risk factors and help detect complications earlier.(( American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 14. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl. 1)–S320. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc26-S014 ))

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Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Complications: Long-Term Risks
ByKen Gri, Founder of DiabetesKnow September 15, 2021August 26, 2026

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