Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2025 May 6:112230. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112230. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: This study evaluated the incidence of self-reported Level 3 hypoglycemia and explored associated risk factors in young adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
METHODS: Subgroup analyses with a one-year U.S.-wide T2D dataset were performed. Retrospective and prospective data on Level 3 hypoglycemia and participant characteristics were analyzed for 207 young adults (18-39 years old) and 436 middle-aged adults (40-64 years old). Age group-stratified multivariable negative binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with Level 3 hypoglycemia.
RESULTS: Young adults exhibited a threefold higher prevalence of Level 3 hypoglycemia events requiring medical assistance compared to the middle-aged cohort at baseline (p < 0.001). During follow-up, the young adults experienced a twofold higher prevalence of Level 3 hypoglycemia (p < 0.001), resulting in a fivefold higher rate of Level 3 hypoglycemia (p < 0.001) and greater hypoglycemia fear (p < 0.001). Distinct sociodemographics, general health and lifestyle factors, diabetes medical history, and diabetes therapy and technology use characteristics were observed in the young-adult group, as were unique risk factors for Level 3 hypoglycemia.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that young adults with T2D are at particularly high risk of Level 3 hypoglycemia, with attributes that differ from those of the traditional middle-aged cohort.
PMID:40339701 | DOI:10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112230