Doctors in UAE call for early diabetes screening as youth cases surge

Doctors in the UAE are urging for early screening of diabetes in children to improve long-term health, following a surge in cases among young people. A study in the US found the number of Type 2 diabetes cases among those under 20 jumped tenfold, from 2.37 per 100,000 in 2002 to 22.30 per 100,000 in 2023. This research will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Milan, Italy in September.

While Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition requiring insulin injections, has seen only a slight increase, the number of diagnosed cases of lifestyle-related Type 2 diabetes has soared. Type 2 diabetes, often linked to obesity, was typically not diagnosed in patients over 45 but is now on the rise in younger populations.

Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, and blurred vision. Dr Brijesh Bharadwaj, department head at NMC Royal Hospital DIP in Dubai, supports early screening to enable more effective treatment. He notes that Type 2 diabetes is increasingly affecting younger people and that regional genetic factors may increase this risk in the UAE, making early screening and lifestyle changes crucial.

Dr Tessa Crume, lead author of the US study, warns that the trend of Type 2 diabetes in young people is alarming. She notes that a generation ago, such diabetes in a teenager was extremely rare, and now it has nearly tenfold increased within two decades, and the rate is accelerating. The complications of Type 2 diabetes in young people progress faster, and they face a higher risk of complications such as kidney, eye, and heart issues within a few years compared to middle-aged adults.

Experts attribute the rise to lifestyle changes, including increased childhood obesity, diets high in processed foods and sugar, and lower physical activity levels. Dr Yasmeen Ajaz, a consultant endocrinologist, states that while there is no single cause, the rise is linked to lifestyle and environmental changes. Children with obesity, particularly those with risk factors, should be screened for prediabetes and diabetes, as early detection can significantly improve outcomes.