The incidence and burden of type 2 diabetes in young people aged 15–39 years are increasing worldwide, show data from the Global Burden of Disease Study.

While these findings show that “the majority of participants are screened in a timely manner, there is considerable variation in uptake” between age groups, with suboptimal attendance in young adults, write Lawrenson et al in Diabetic Medicine .

The Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring system may be a good option to help young adults with type 1 diabetes control their blood glucose, show the results of the MILLENNIAL trial.

Glycemic control in youth and young adults with diabetes has not improved with time, and in some cases has worsened, despite more aggressive glycemic targets and increased availability of newer diabetes technology and therapies, shows the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study.

Findings from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study suggest that diastolic dysfunction is prevalent among young adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but those with type 2 diabetes have the highest risk.

Adults who develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age have a much lower likelihood of achieving glycemic control a year after diagnosis than those who develop it in middle age, research indicates.

The risk for acute and chronic diabetes complications associated with poor glucose control is highest among young adults with type 1 diabetes and decreases with age even when the level of glycemic control is equally poor in the older age groups, real-world study data show.

The multicenter study included 205 young adults (aged 17–20 years) with type 1 diabetes who were randomly assigned to receive an 18-month transition program with a transition coordinator (n=104) or to receive standard care (n=101).

An occupational therapy-driven intervention can significantly improve blood glucose control and diabetes-related quality of life among ethnically diverse young adults with low socioeconomic status, US researchers report.

A small study shows high complication rates in young people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers have identified modifiable risk factors that if targeted early could help prevent the debilitating consequences of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in young people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Costacou T et al. Diabetes Care 2018: dc180319. doi: 10.2337/dc18-0319

McMorrow L et al. Diabet Med 2018. doi: 10.1111/dme.13809

Mortality rates are high among adolescents and young adults with type I diabetes, with more than half caused by acute or chronic complications, researchers report.

They add: “The evidence also highlights the need for intensive treatment of risk factors for premature mortality among young adults diagnosed with diabetes.”

Researchers have found that the early morning psychosocial state of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes explains a proportion of their daily variance in time in range.

He therefore says that studies of high-dose semaglutide and tirzepatide, which both promote substantial weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes, “are now urgently needed” in young people with the condition.