Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults

Abstract Background We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus in lean Korean adults. Methods We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2021 among adults aged ≥ 19 years. Trend analyses between 2001 and 2019–202...

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Main Authors: Ji Min Kim, Kyoung Hye Joung, Hyun Jin Kim, Bon Jeong Ku, Sukyoung Jung, Ju Hee Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21034-2
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author Ji Min Kim
Kyoung Hye Joung
Hyun Jin Kim
Bon Jeong Ku
Sukyoung Jung
Ju Hee Lee
author_facet Ji Min Kim
Kyoung Hye Joung
Hyun Jin Kim
Bon Jeong Ku
Sukyoung Jung
Ju Hee Lee
author_sort Ji Min Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus in lean Korean adults. Methods We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2021 among adults aged ≥ 19 years. Trend analyses between 2001 and 2019–2021 (n = 89,720) and comparative analyses of multiple clinical characteristics between patients with type 2 diabetes with and without overweight/obesity were conducted (n = 2,284). Results Between 2001 and 2019–2021, the estimated prevalence of lean type 2 diabetes (body mass index [BMI] < 23 kg/m2) increased from 6.6 to 8.8%, representing a 33.3% increase. This was a similar extent of increase of type 2 diabetes associated with being overweight or obese (12.1–16.3%, + 34.7%). The increase in the prevalence of lean type 2 diabetes was more pronounced among females, while the increase among those who were overweight or obese was more pronounced among males than their counterparts. Although the overweight/obese type 2 diabetes group (T2DM group) showed more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the lean T2DM group had lower insulin levels and reduced muscle mass and strength. Conclusions The prevalence of lean type 2 diabetes among Korean adults is increasing, at a rate similar to type 2 diabetes in overweight/obese individuals. Patients with lean type 2 diabetes showed decreased beta-cell function and sarcopenia. These findings emphasize the need for tailored management strategies for lean type 2 diabetes given its characteristics and rising prevalence.
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spelling doaj-art-29ac60b4789347af97bca0c0c06864132025-08-20T01:57:13ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-0124111110.1186/s12889-024-21034-2Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adultsJi Min Kim0Kyoung Hye Joung1Hyun Jin Kim2Bon Jeong Ku3Sukyoung Jung4Ju Hee Lee5Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong HospitalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong HospitalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University HospitalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University HospitalDepartment of Health Care Policy Research, Korea Institute for Health and Social AffairsDepartment of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University HospitalAbstract Background We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus in lean Korean adults. Methods We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2021 among adults aged ≥ 19 years. Trend analyses between 2001 and 2019–2021 (n = 89,720) and comparative analyses of multiple clinical characteristics between patients with type 2 diabetes with and without overweight/obesity were conducted (n = 2,284). Results Between 2001 and 2019–2021, the estimated prevalence of lean type 2 diabetes (body mass index [BMI] < 23 kg/m2) increased from 6.6 to 8.8%, representing a 33.3% increase. This was a similar extent of increase of type 2 diabetes associated with being overweight or obese (12.1–16.3%, + 34.7%). The increase in the prevalence of lean type 2 diabetes was more pronounced among females, while the increase among those who were overweight or obese was more pronounced among males than their counterparts. Although the overweight/obese type 2 diabetes group (T2DM group) showed more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the lean T2DM group had lower insulin levels and reduced muscle mass and strength. Conclusions The prevalence of lean type 2 diabetes among Korean adults is increasing, at a rate similar to type 2 diabetes in overweight/obese individuals. Patients with lean type 2 diabetes showed decreased beta-cell function and sarcopenia. These findings emphasize the need for tailored management strategies for lean type 2 diabetes given its characteristics and rising prevalence.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21034-2Diabetes mellitus, Type 2Body mass indexObesityPrevalenceDiabetes complicationsLean diabetes
spellingShingle Ji Min Kim
Kyoung Hye Joung
Hyun Jin Kim
Bon Jeong Ku
Sukyoung Jung
Ju Hee Lee
Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults
BMC Public Health
Diabetes mellitus, Type 2
Body mass index
Obesity
Prevalence
Diabetes complications
Lean diabetes
title Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults
title_full Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults
title_fullStr Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults
title_full_unstemmed Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults
title_short Lean diabetes: 20-year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among Korean adults
title_sort lean diabetes 20 year trends in its prevalence and clinical features among korean adults
topic Diabetes mellitus, Type 2
Body mass index
Obesity
Prevalence
Diabetes complications
Lean diabetes
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21034-2
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AT bonjeongku leandiabetes20yeartrendsinitsprevalenceandclinicalfeaturesamongkoreanadults
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