Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents: a review from a European perspective

The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in states of the European Union and United Kingdom at the national and subnational levels: A systematic review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a highly prevalent disease worldwide, with an equally increased expenditure associated with it. We aimed to longitudinally evaluate the epidemiologic and economic burden of T2D in the current member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom (EU-28). The present systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020219894), and it followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eligibility criteria comprised original observational studies in English reporting economic and epidemiological data for T2D in member states of the EU-28. Methodological assessment was performed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools. The search retrieved 2253 titles and abstracts. After study selection, 41 studies were included in the epidemiologic analysis and 25 in the economic analysis. Economic and epidemiologic studies covered only 15 member states with reported data between 1970 and 2017, resulting in an incomplete picture. For children in particular, limited information is available. The prevalence, incidence, mortality, and expenditure of the T2D population have increased across the decades in member states. Therefore, policies should aim to prevent or reduce the burden of T2D in the EU and consequently mitigate the expenditure on T2D.

Self-reported lifestyle behaviours in families with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes across six European countries: a cross-sectional analysis from the Feel4Diabetes-study

BACKGROUND

A healthy lifestyle decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The current cross-sectional study aimed to describe self-reported lifestyle behaviours and compare them to current health guidelines in European Feel4Diabetes-families at risk for developing type 2 diabetes across six countries (Belgium, Finland, Spain, Greece, Hungary and Bulgaria).

METHODS

Parents and their children were recruited through primary schools located in low socio-economic status areas. Parents filled out the FINDRISC-questionnaire (eight items questioning age, Body Mass Index, waist circumference, PA, daily consumption of fruit, berries or vegetables, history of antihypertensive drug treatment, history of high blood glucose and family history of diabetes), which was used for the risk assessment of the family. Sociodemographic factors and several lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, water consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, soft drink consumption, sweets consumption, snack consumption, breakfast consumption) of both adults and children were assessed by parental questionnaires. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted to investigate families' lifestyle behaviours, to compare these levels to health guidelines and to assess potential differences between the countries. Analyses were controlled for age, sex and socio-economic status.

RESULTS

Most Feel4Diabetes-families at risk (parents and their children) did not comply with the guidelines regarding healthy behaviours, set by the WHO, European or national authorities. Less than half of parents and children complied with the physical activity guidelines, less than 15% of them complied with the fruit and vegetable guideline, and only 40% of the children met the recommendations of five glasses of water per day. Clear differences in lifestyle behaviours in Feel4Diabetes-families at risk exist between the countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Countries are highly recommended to invest in policy initiatives to counter unhealthy lifestyle behaviours in families at risk for type 2 diabetes development, taking into account country-specific needs. For future research it is of great importance to focus on families at risk in order to counter the development of type 2 diabetes and reduce health inequity.

Ketoacidosis Onset of Diabetes on a Patient with Normal C-Peptide Value

Background:Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute major life-threatening complication of diabetes, characterized by hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and ketonuria, which can be life threatening if it is not promptly recognized and treated. This occurs mainly in patients with type 1 diabetes, but stressors like trauma and infection can increase the risk of ketoacidosis in other forms of diabetes such as type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder of heterogeneous etiology with behavioral, social, and environmental risk factors that unmask the effects of genetic susceptibility. Recent studies indicate an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents around the world in all ethnicities. C-peptide is a useful and widely used method of assessing pancreatic beta cell function given his structure: part of proinsulin which is cleaved prior to co-secretion with insulin from pancreatic beta cells. This is used as a tool in the differentiation of type 1 diabetes from type 2 but also other types of diabetes. We present a 12-year-old previously healthy male who was hospitalized in our clinic for polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss and emesis, with symptom onset 10 days prior to admission. On the admission day, he presented to the emergency room for progressively increasing somnolence, apathy, decreased muscle tone and urinary incontinence. Physical examination was significant for grade I obesity [height 168 cm and weight 90 kg, yielding a body index mass (BMI) of 31.78 kg/m2, percentile >97%], lethargy, slurred speech, high blood pressure (145/90 mmHg), tachycardia (145 beats per minute) and acanthosis nigricans. Considering his physical examination, laboratory tests and clinical evolution, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state and diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of metabolic decompensation in all types of diabetes. Although type 2 diabetes mellitus seems to be still rare in childhood and adolescence, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus should become public awareness and public health intervention programs. The particularity of this case was the unusual onset of diabetes mellitus type 2 in a male child with metabolic syndrome.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Antihyperglycemic Medications in Children and Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among children and adolescents has been rising. This condition is associated with obesity, and it's prevalence is higher among minority or female youth. Lifestyle modification including diet and exercise is only successful in a small proportion of patients; therefore, pharmacotherapy approaches are needed to treat T2DM among youth. Currently, in the USA, only metformin and insulin are approved for the treatment of T2DM in children. However, several antihyperglycemic agents including exenatide, glimepiride, glyburide, liraglutide, pioglitazone, and rosiglitazone are also used off-label in this population. Moreover, a number of clinical trials are ongoing that are aimed at addressing the safety and efficacy of newer antihyperglycemic agents in this population. Little is known about the safety, efficacy, or pharmacokinetics of antihyperglycemic agents in children or adolescents. Our ability to predict the pharmacokinetics of these agents in youth is hampered first by the lack of information about the expression and activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in this population and second by the presence of comorbid conditions such as obesity and fatty liver disease. This article reviews the prevalence of obesity and T2DM in children and adolescents (youth). We then summarize published studies on safety and effectiveness of antihyperglycemic medications in youth. Drug disposition may be affected by age or puberty and thus the expression and activity of different pathways for drug metabolism and xenobiotic transporters are compared between youth and adults followed by a summary of pharmacokinetics studies of antihyperglycemic agents currently used in this population.

Incidence and time trends of type 2 diabetes mellitus in youth aged 5-19 years: a population-based registry in Zhejiang, China, 2007 to 2013

BACKGROUND

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing globally over the past two decades in children and adolescents. There are currently a dearth of comprehensive population-based estimates of T2DM incidence and time trends in Chinese youth.

METHODS

A population-based diabetes registry system in 30 representative districts in Zhejiang has been established for diabetes surveillance. All newly cases diagnosed by physicians in local hospitals and wards were registered using the registry system through web services and direct network report. The data were primarily abstracted from medical records in hospitals and wards. Annual incidence rates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by age groups and sex were calculated per 100 000 person-years. Poisson regression models were applied to assess the effects of diagnosis year, age groups, sex and residence area on T2DM incidence and to examine the average annual percentage change in incidence.

RESULTS

There were 392 newly diagnosed cases of T2DM (210 boys and 182 girls) over the study period. The mean annual age-standardized incidence was 1.96/100 000 person-years (95% CIs: 1.85-2.08). No statistically significant difference in incidence was found between boys and girls. However, the risk for T2DM was 1.49 times higher in urban area than in rural area. Besides, the mean annual incidence in youth increased with age. The age-standardized incidence was about 5 times higher in 2013 than in 2007. Steep rising incidence was observed, with an average annual increase of 26.6% in youth aged 10-19 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of T2DM in children and adolescents was low in Zhejiang relative to other countries, whereas it increased markedly over the study period. Preventive strategies for T2DM are necessary in pediatric population.

Status of serum magnesium in Egyptian children with type 1 diabetes and its correlation to glycemic control and lipid profile

Diabetes mellitus has been suggested to be the most common metabolic disorder associated with magnesium deficiency, having 25% to 39% prevalence. This deficit could be associated with the development of late diabetic complications, especially macroangiopathy.We aimed to evaluate the status of serum Mg in children with type 1 diabetes and assess its relation to glycemic control and lipid profile.We included 71 Egyptian children with type 1diabetes having their follow-up at Pediatric Endocrinology outpatient clinic, Zagazig University Hospital and 71 age- and sex-matched control. We measured Serum magnesium, HbA1c, and lipid profile in all study subjects.Diabetic children had significantly lower serum magnesium level compared to control children (1.83 ± .27 mg/dL in diabetic children versus 2.00 ± .16 mg/dL in control children). Taking cut-off level of serum magnesium <1.7 mg/dL for definition of hypomagnesemia, hypomagnesemia was detected in 28.2% of diabetic children compared to 9.9% of control children. In diabetic patients, there was statistically significant difference in HbA1c between hypomagnesemic and normomagnesemic group being higher in the low magnesium group, as it is mean ± SD was 11.93 ± 3.17 mg/dL in group I versus 8.92 ± 0.93 mg/dL in the normomagnesemic group. Serum magnesium was found to be positively correlated with HDL (P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with age, HbA1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and duration of diabetes (P < 0.001).We concluded that total serum magnesium was frequently low in Egyptian children with type 1 diabetes and it is correlated with HbA1c and with lipid profile. Hypomagnesemia was more evident in patients with poor diabetic control and those with higher atherogenic lipid parameters. We suggest that low serum magnesium may be included in pathogenesis of poor glycemic control and abnormal lipid profile in children with type 1 diabetes. We need to perform further studies on giving magnesium supplements in diabetic children with hypomagnesemia to observe the effect of correction of serum magnesium on glycemic control, lipid profile, and the risk of diabetic complications.

The Diagnosis of Prediabetes in Adolescents

Background

Prediabetes is characterized by isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and combined IFG/IGT. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of prediabetes and examine possible contributory factors in a cohort of obese adolescents.

Methods

In this prospective study, we recruited 85 obese patients from the Obesity Clinic at the University Children’s Hospital and 17 normal weight controls. All patients were of Caucasian origin, 60 males/42 females, aged 7.4–18.3 years, with at least Tanner 2 stage of puberty.

Results

Depending on criteria we used, insulin resistance was confirmed in 62–100% of obese patients, predominantly in the group with BMI SDS > 3. oGTT revealed isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in 13.9%, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in 20.8% and combined IFG and IGT only in 2.8% of the obese patients. Patients in the prediabetes group were older (14±2.4 vs 12.8±2.5 p=0.04) and had higher glucose levels (p<0.001) during the whole oGTT compared to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group. There was no difference between groups in respect to family history, BMI, lipids and fasting insulin. Insulinogenic index, WBISI and HOMA%B were significantly lower in the prediabetes group compared to the NGT group (p=0.07, 0.01 and 0.04 respectively). HbA1c level was measured in 58% of patients and was significantly higher in the prediabetes group (5.4±0.3 vs 5.7±0.4, p=0.002).

Conclusion

Prediabetes occurrence was fairly high in our obese adolescents. Further studies should establish what would be the most appropriate screening test to diagnose these patients at risk for type 2 diabetes and initiate treatment without delay.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in young need for early screening

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased dramatically throughout the world in recent years. This increase has also affected the young, such that over the last decade, the rise in the number of children and youth with T2DM has been labeled an epidemic. The main reason for this epidemic is the spurt in childhood obesity worldwide. This is linked to the global economic growth and changes in lifestyle and dietery habits. It is important that we recognize this epidemic of T2DM early, and institute national and global measures to contain it. T2DM in childhood can be controlled to a large extent through lifestyle modification measures. It is important that we screen this disease condition, and identify the at-risk cases.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Danish preschool children over a 10-year period: a study of two birth cohorts in general practice

AIM

To determine change in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children, over a 10-year period and to identify possible predictors of overweight in 5-year-old children.

METHODS

Anthropometric data from birth and routine child health examinations at 3 and 5 years of age performed in general practice were collected in 5580 children from two Funen birth cohorts (1992 and 2001, respectively) representing 48% of the total population at similar age. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was classified using the International Obesity Task Force definitions.

RESULTS

In a Danish representative survey of preschool children, the average body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity did not vary significantly during the 10-year period. No significant changes in mean birth weight were registered and mean BMI in the group of obese children did not increase. Overweight or obesity at 5 years was strongly associated with overweight and obesity at 3 years and with birth weight and gender.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed to be stable over a decade in Danish preschool children without changes in mean BMI in the group of obese children. A strong association between overweight and obesity at 3 and at 5 years of age was detected.

Mouse models and type 2 diabetes: translational opportunities

Type 2 diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide. Treatments are available, but glycaemic control is not always effective in many patients. Better models are needed to create new and improved therapies and to expand our understanding of how type 2 diabetes begins and progresses. Translational research involves the transformation of knowledge from basic scientific discoveries to impacting on public health. This can allow identification of novel molecular mechanisms underlying the disease which can lead to preventative measures, biomarkers for diagnosis, or future therapies. Generation of genetically modified mice has allowed us to investigate the function of genes and develop reproducible models in which the phenotype of the animal can be tested. Mouse models have already given us insight into glucose metabolism and insulin secretion, identified novel pathways, and have been used to confirm genome-wide association studies. In this review we discuss the use of the mouse to clarify human genome-wide association study loci, understand genes and pathways involved in type 2 diabetes, and uncover novel targets for drug discovery.

Therapeutic potential of SIRT1 and NAMPT-mediated NAD biosynthesis in type 2 diabetes

Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and it is critical to understand the interplay between these factors in the regulation of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity to develop effective therapeutic interventions for type 2 diabetes. For the past several years, studies on the mammalian NAD-dependent protein deacetylase SIRT1 and systemic NAD biosynthesis mediated by nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) have demonstrated that these two regulatory components together play a critical role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, particularly in the regulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. These components also contribute to the age-associated decline in beta cell function, which has been suggested to be one of the major contributing factors to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In this review article, the roles of SIRT1 and NAMPT-mediated systemic NAD biosynthesis in glucose homeostasis and the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes will be summarized, and their potential as effective targets for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes will be discussed.

Effects of a multidisciplinary inpatient intervention on body composition, aerobic fitness, and quality of life in severely obese girls and boys

PURPOSE

The last few decades have seen a major increase in the prevalence of juvenile obesity. Inpatient treatment programs are used mainly in children with severe obesity and related comorbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gender differences of an 8-week multidisciplinary inpatient program on body weight, body composition, aerobic fitness, and quality of life of severely obese children and adolescents.

METHODS

Body weight was measured daily, and body composition, aerobic fitness, and quality of life were measured at the beginning and the end of an 8-week multidisciplinary inpatient program in 130 severely obese patients (52 girls, 78 boys), median (25th, 75th percentile) age of 13.8 (12.1, 15.0) years, median body weight of 89.4 kg (77.1, 100.1), and a body mass index of 33.4 (30.1, 36.6) kg/m(2), which is well above the 98th percentile. The inpatient program was based on a multidisciplinary treatment and education program that focused on daily physical activity, a 1200-1600 kcal/day balanced nutrition regimen, and a behavior modification therapy.

RESULTS

All results are expressed as medians (25th, 75th percentiles). At the end of the program all patients had lost a significant amount of body weight: 12.7 kg (10.8, 16.6), p < .001, girls 11.6 kg (9.7, 13.2), boys 13.7 kg (11.7, 17.3), p < .001, absolute body fat 8.0 kg (6.8, 10.0) p < 001, girls 7.0 kg (5.7, 8.1), boys 9.4 kg (7.6, 11.0) p < .001, % body fat per kg body weight: 4.9% (3.2, 6.6) p < .001, girls 3.7% (2.7, 4.9), boys 5.7% (4.0, 7.5) p < .001, and absolute fat free (or lean body) mass: 1.8 kg (0.64, 3.0) p < .001, girls 1.8 kg (0.87, 3.2), boys 1.7 kg (0.50, 2.9) p = .43. In addition, all measurements of aerobic fitness: VO(2)peak (mL/min.kg) and peak mechanical power (watts and watt/kg) and of quality of life increased significantly (p < .001, p < .001, p < .004 to p < .001).

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary inpatient treatment program including moderate calorie restriction, daily physical activity, and behavior modification induced a major weight loss, a decrease in body fat, and an increse in aerobic fitness as well as the quality fo life of severely obese children and adolescents. Weight loss and the decrease in body fat (absolute and percent) were significantly more pronounced in boys than girls.

The effects of a 3-year obesity intervention in schoolchildren in Beijing

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity has become a health problem in urban areas in China. Intervention to reduce childhood obesity should be of high priority. School-based intervention programmes are needed to deal with the growing prevalence of childhood obesity in China.

METHODS

Five primary schools were selected randomly for this study in the Beijing urban area in China; two were allocated to the intervention group and three to the control group. A total of 2425 children (1029 children in intervention schools and 1396 children in control schools) took part in the study for 3 years. In the intervention group, children and their parents were involved in a programme of nutrition education and physical activity. Control school students followed their usual health and physical education curriculum with no extra intervention.

RESULTS

After the 3-year intervention, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were significantly lower in the intervention schools than in the control schools (overweight: 9.8% vs. 14.4%, P < 0.01; obesity: 7.9% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.01). The prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased by 26.3% and 32.5% in intervention schools respectively after intervention. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in control schools. There was also significant difference in body mass index between intervention and control schools (18.2 +/- 2.6 vs. 20.3 +/- 3.4, P < 0.01) after intervention. More non-obese children became obese in the control schools (7.0%) than in the intervention schools (2.4%) at end line (P < 0.01). Among the children who were obese at baseline, 49.2% remained obese at end line in intervention schools while 61.9% remained obese in control schools (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that an intervention programme could be feasible in schools in Beijing, China. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was reduced in schoolchildren in Beijing through an intervention focused on nutrition education and physical activity. Overweight and obesity children as well as normal weight children and their parents should be involved in such an intervention programme.

Glucose dysregulation in obese children: predictive, risk, and potential protective factors

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (DM2) in obese children and adolescents of Greek origin and compare our data with pertinent literature findings in an attempt to uncover predictive, risk, and preventive factors.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A total of 117 obese children and adolescents 12.1+/-2.7 years old underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin resistance (IR) and beta-cell function were estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR and the insulinogenic index, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients (14.5%) had IGT, and none had DM2. The overall prevalence rates of both IGT and DM2 in our subjects were lower than those reported in a recent multiethnic U.S. study. Nevertheless, the difference between our IGT data and those of the U.S. study was due mostly to the prepubertal subjects (9% vs. 25.4%), whereas no difference was observed in the pubertal population (18% vs. 21%). Fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR values were not predictive of IGT. The absolute value of insulin at 2 hours of the OGTT combined with the time-integrated glycemia (AUCG) can strongly predict IGT, whereas higher area under the curve for insulin (AUCI) values were found to be protective.

DISCUSSION

In ethnic groups less prone to diabetes development, IGT or DM2 in obese subjects is more likely to develop at puberty than at the prepubertal stage. It is advisable that physicians caring for obese adolescents perform an OGTT for early detection of IGT because HOMA-IR values, although higher in IGT subjects and indicative of IR, cannot predict IGT.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents

Over the last decade, there has been an alarming increase of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in youths, concomitant with the rise of obesity in this age group. T2DM is a progressive disease with a gradual increase in insulin resistance associated later with a decline in insulin secretion with fasting hyperglycemia. Prevalence of T2DM in children is mostly linked to some risk factors: obesity and sedentary lifestyle, puberty, membership of ethnic minorities, features of insulin resistance, family history of T2DM, female gender and perinatal factors. Prevention is essential and can be considered a public health approach directed to the general population. Treatment of T2DM in youth is complex and based on different strategies: diet, exercise and pharmacotherapy. An appropriated intervention program must be started early, in order to prevent or retard the progression of the disease and associated comorbidities.

Initiating oral glucose-lowering therapy with metformin in tyape 2 diabetic patients: an evidence-based strategy to reduce the burden of late-developing diabetes complications

A major aim of glucose-lowering therapy in people with diabetes is to delay or prevent the late-developing complications of diabetes that threaten the quality and duration of life. While intensive interventions to control hyperglycaemia may impair well-being to some extent, the balance of quality of life is usually highly positive. Diet and exercise therapy remains the cornerstone of management, and should usually be given a trial alone first. However, the magnitude and duration of benefit from this intervention is insufficient for most people. More frequent, early, use of metformin is an evidence-based strategy for reducing the risk of adverse outcomes of diabetes in people with type 2 diabetes with sub-optimal glucose control on lifestyle measures alone. This has been recognised in recent evidenced-based guidelines from the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence and from Diabetes UK, which now support the use of metformin as initial pharmacological therapy for all people without contraindications to the drug. Other national and local guideline committees should consider updating their recommendations on diabetes management in line with these findings.

Presentation and course of Type 2 diabetes in youth in a large multi-ethnic city

AIM

To review the clinical experience of children and teens diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at a paediatric hospital serving a large urban multi-ethnic population.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients with T2DM followed in the diabetes clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) over an 8-year period. Patients who were included were younger than 18, referred at the onset of diabetes, and where presentation and/or clinical course was 'typical' of T2DM.

RESULTS

Of 1020 children with diabetes followed at HSC, 4% were identified as having T2DM in 2002. There was a sixfold increase in new cases from 1994 to 2002. The mean age at diagnosis was 13.5 +/- 2.2 years (range 8.8-17.5) with a female-to-male ratio of 1.7. Most had a first- or second-degree relative with T2DM. There was an overrepresentation of children with T2DM from Asian and African Canadian ethnic groups relative to the regional population. The majority of teens were asymptomatic at presentation, with a smaller number in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis. Mean HbA1c at diagnosis was 10 +/- 3.4%. Approximately one half of patients were initially treated by diet and exercise with many requiring intensification of therapy over a short period of time.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a similar increase in T2DM incidence and clinical presentation at HSC to other clinic reports in large North American urban centres. Of note is the high prevalence of children of South/South-East Asian descent.