[Series] Understanding the drivers and consequences of early-onset type 2 diabetes

Early-onset type 2 diabetes (defined as type 2 diabetes diagnosed in people aged <40 years) is increasingly prevalent with substantial health and socioeconomic implications. Unlike late-onset type 2 diabetes, early-onset type 2 diabetes is a high-risk and aggressive phenotype, with accelerated pancreatic β-cell decline and greater insulin resistance due to the rising rate of obesity. People with early-onset type 2 diabetes have higher rates of macrovascular and microvascular complications with increased health-care use and premature mortality (due to cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular complications) than do people with late-onset type 2 diabetes.