Type 1 diabetes research and prevalence trends

Research regarding type 1 diabetes has focused on both individual health risks and global epidemiological trends.

An analysis of Swedish National Diabetes Register data indicates that the age of onset impacts long-term health, with patients diagnosed before age 10 facing a 37% higher risk of dementia compared to those diagnosed between ages 18 and 30. Researchers are also utilizing genetic risk scores to improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in children, to distinguish type 1 diabetes from rare monogenic forms like MODY.

On a global scale, projections using the DIAMOND-T1D model suggest that type 1 diabetes prevalence will increase by 29% by 2049, reaching an estimated 12.1 million people. Research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting by scientists from the Steno Diabetes Center in Denmark indicates that annual new cases are also expected to grow by 14%, rising from 530,000 in 2025 to 605,000 in 2049.

While high-income nations like the United States and the United Kingdom are expected to see significant absolute increases due to genetics, environmental triggers, and high detection rates, low-income countries are projected to experience the most marked relative increases due to improved insulin access, better monitoring, and increased life expectancy. Specific regional projections include an increase of over 500,000 cases in the United States, more than 100,000 in the United Kingdom, and approximately 16% in Italy.