Prevalence of Microvascular Complications in Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes – A Pilot Study

Introduction: Early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), defined as the diagnosis of diabetes before 40 years, is increasingly prevalent and associated with poor glycemic control and elevated risk of microvascular complications. Limited data exist on young Indian adults with T2DM. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile, glycemic control, and prevalence of microvascular complications in young-onset T2DM patients at a tertiary care hospital in Western India. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 65 patients aged 18–39 years with T2DM from June to December 2023. Comprehensive assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure, HbA1C, lipid profile, fundus photography, neuropathy evaluation using a biothesiometer, and kidney disease assessment through urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: The cohort was predominantly male (83.1%) with a mean age of 34 years and mean body mass index of 28 kg/m². Glycemic control was poor in 92.3% of patients (HbA1c >6.5%). Hypertension and dyslipidemia were present in 16.9% and 30.8% of patients, respectively. Microvascular complications included neuropathy (20%), retinopathy (10.8%), and kidney disease (4.6%), with two patients exhibiting all three complications. Conclusion: Young adults with T2DM in this cohort demonstrate poor glycemic control and a substantial burden of microvascular complications, particularly neuropathy. Comprehensive screening and early detection are critical to prevent the complications and optimize management in this population.