Sociodemographic and lifestyle-related risk factors for identifying vulnerable groups for type 2 diabetes: a narrative review with emphasis on data from Europe

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) comprises the vast majority of all diabetes cases in adults, with alarmingly increasing prevalence over the past few decades worldwide. A particularly heavy healthcare burden of diabetes is noted in Europe, where 8.8% of the population aged 20-79 years is estimated to have diabetes according to the International Diabetes Federation. Multiple risk factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of T2DM with complex underlying interplay and intricate gene-environment interactions. Thus, intense research has been focused on studying the role of T2DM risk factors and on identifying vulnerable groups for T2DM in the general population which can then be targeted for prevention interventions. Methods: For this narrative review, we conducted a comprehensive search of the existing literature on T2DM risk factors, focusing on studies in adult cohorts from European countries which were published in English after January 2000. Results: Multiple lifestyle-related and sociodemographic factors were identified as related to high T2DM risk, including age, ethnicity, family history, low socioeconomic status, obesity, metabolic syndrome and each of its components, as well as certain unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. As Europe has an increasingly aging population, multiple migrant and ethnic minority groups and significant socioeconomic diversity both within and across different countries, this review focuses not only on modifiable T2DM risk factors, but also on the impact of pertinent demographic and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion: In addition to other T2DM risk factors, low socioeconomic status can significantly increase the risk for prediabetes and T2DM, but is often overlooked. In multinational and multicultural regions such as Europe, a holistic approach, which will take into account both traditional and socioeconomic/socioecological factors, is becoming increasingly crucial in order to implement multidimensional public health programs and integrated community-based interventions for effective T2DM prevention.

Factors Associated With Prediabetes and Diabetes Among Public Employees in Northern Ethiopia

“…Low income and low education levels were widely reported to be associated with increased prevalence of diabetes in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. [31][32][33][34] However, the association between low socioeconomic status and diabetes was insignificant in our study. Since we targeted public employees, the socioeconomic status might not be much different among them.…”

Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes and White Matter Hyperintensity: A Systematic Review

“…Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevalence has been increasing rapidly over the past few decades worldwide ( 13 ).Based on recent International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates, in 2017, there were 451 million adults (age: 18–99 years) with diabetes globally, a figure that is predicted to reach 693 million by 2045 ( 14 , 15 ). T2DM is considered a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease ( 16 ).…”

Country-Specific Prevalence and Incidence of Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Literature Review

“…For future studies, we recognize emerging evidence regarding the role that socioeconomic status plays in the development of T2D, as well as other non-communicable diseases in pediatric populations, invites further consideration [59, 60]. At present, the defining factors of socioeconomic status (including income, education, and employment) vary across publications, making direct comparisons between findings challenging.…”