ADHD and autism appear more common among young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

A recent study has found that young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more likely to be neurodivergent, specifically having autism or ADHD. An analysis of patient data revealed a high prevalence of neurodiversity among people diagnosed with T2D before the age of 20. The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting in Milan, Italy.

The prevalence of ADHD and autism among those under 20 is as high as 14% and 5%, respectively. The authors emphasize the importance of considering the needs of neurodivergent individuals when planning clinical services and support for those with early-onset T2D, as both conditions are linked to poorer health outcomes. Lead author Dr. Jonathan Goldney of the University of Leicester Diabetes Research Center noted that neurodivergent people and those with early-onset T2D often face unique challenges in navigating healthcare environments and managing their diabetes.

The study analyzed hospital records from 4.2 million people newly diagnosed with T2D in the US between 2006 and 2026, grouping them by age at diagnosis. The researchers found that ADHD was more than twice as prevalent among people diagnosed with T2D before age 20 compared to those without T2D, and autism was more than three times as prevalent among the same group.

However, the study could not establish cause and effect due to its observational design and limitations, such as relying on anonymized hospital records that may be prone to errors and not fully representative of the wider population. Future studies should explore the factors contributing to the association between neurodivergent conditions and T2D and whether diabetes care tailored to neurodiversity can improve health outcomes.