Neurodivergence more prevalent in early-onset type 2 diabetes cases
An analysis of patient records found higher rates of autism and ADHD among people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at younger ages, especially before age 20. Researchers say clinical services should better accommodate neurodivergent patients with early-onset diabetes. The findings were presented at EASD in Milan.
Researchers compared records of 4.2 million newly diagnosed T2D patients in a US network with matched controls, forming 3.4 million pairs under age 80. They sorted diagnoses into ten-year age bands and matched on demographics including age, birth year, sex, ethnicity, and race.
Among those diagnosed before 20, ADHD prevalence was 14.4% versus 6.9% in controls, and autism appeared at more than triple the rate. Differences narrowed with age but remained higher for T2D patients, even in the 70–79 group.
The findings could encourage diabetes services to become more accessible for neurodivergent patients, especially younger people facing lifelong condition management. Clinicians may consider screening, communication, and support adjustments that reduce barriers in busy care settings. Families and caregivers might benefit from clearer coordination between diabetes and neurodevelopmental services. If replicated, this may shift how early-onset T2D care is planned, though it does not establish causation or prove that neurodivergence causes earlier diabetes.