HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The incidence of type 2diabetes in younger adults has increased dramatically in Vietnam, doctors havesaid.

Endocrinologists said that early-onset diabetes usually refers to diabetes thatdevelops in adults under 40 years old.

Nguyen Binh Tan, a 30-year-old man from HCMCity, was hospitalised on November 10 with onset type2 diabetes, with symptoms that included unexplained weight loss,extreme fatigue, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.

“One month ago, I suddenly lost weight and felt very tired inthe morning. I lost 10 kilogrammes, from 62kg to 52kg, within a month,” he said.

“At first, I thought I had a heart problem and came tothe hospital for a health check-up,” he added.

Previously, it was uncommon to find early-onset diabetes.However, more and more young people have been diagnosed with type2 diabetes in recent years, said Dr Nguyen Thi Le Hang, head of thedepartment of endocrinology at An Binh Hospital.

The rising incidence of type 2 diabetes among youngeradults is related to rising rates of obesity, changes in dietary patterns,and sedentary lifestyles, she said.

It is crucial to promote education about the need for early diagnosis andtreatment to prevent complications related to diabetes and minimise the burdenof the disease.

People with risk factors such as a parent havingtype 2 diabetes, obesity and insufficient physical activity shouldhave screening tests for diabetes, with just a simple blood test, shesaid.   

Dr Ho Dac Phuong of Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in HCM Citysaid that a recent survey revealed that 60 out of 1,000 people havediabetes in the country, a three-fold increase compared to 1985.
The rate is much higher in HCM City and other cities in thecountry, Phuong said.

The prevalence of diabetes in young people is rising due to obesity, anunhealthy diet and an inactive lifestyle, he said.

Women with gestational diabetes which can lead to type 2diabetes in the next five to 10 years need to be strictly monitored forprevention and early diagnosis.

A 30-year-old pregnant woman with gestational diabetes,for example, might develop type 2 diabetes after 10 years, Phuong said.

Children of women with gestational diabetes have a high riskfactor and need to be managed for prevention and early diagnosis, according toPhuong.

Screening for diabetes costs only 20,000 VND (close to 1 USD).

Late diagnosis and treatment can lead to a huge economicburden and affect quality of life and life expectancy.

Young people with diabetes often ignore treatment plans as well asdiet and exercise management to keep blood sugar levels within the targetrange, because their health conditions are still good at the earlystage of the disease, according to Dr Le Hoang Bao from the department ofendocrinology at the University Medical Centre in HCM City.

Delayed treatment can lead to serious complications that affect many parts ofthe body and cause heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, or lowerextremity amputations.

Earlier this month, the hospital received a 36-year-old manwho was hospitalised with diabetes complications. Although he wasdiagnosed with diabetes four years ago through a health screeningprogramme at his workplace, he took no action to treat the disease until he wassent to hospital with swelling in his leg, a common complication ofdiabetes.

“I was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago but Iwas not aware of serious complications of the disease. I did notfollow treatment and diet management, resulting in complications,” he said.

“I am so scared now of diabetes complications,” he added.

Last year, around 3.8 million people were living withdiabetes and the number is expected to jump to 6.1 million by 2040, accordingto the Ministry of Health.

Sixty-nine percent of adults with diabetes remain undiagnosedin Vietnam, and only 29 percent of people living with diabetes receivetreatment at health facilities./.