Early-Onset Dementia Risk Escalates with Diabetes Duration: Insights from a Nationwide Cohort Study
- Author:
Ji-Hong PARK
1
;
Sun-Joon MOON
;
Da Yeon LEE
;
Ji-Hee KO
;
Han Na JANG
;
Hye-Mi KWON
;
Se-Eun PARK
;
Kyung-Do HAN
;
Eun-Jung RHEE
;
Won-Young LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Endocrinology and Metabolism 2026;41(2):235-244
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and early-onset dementia (EOD), defined as dementia diagnosed at an age <65 years, is increasing worldwide, with significant socioeconomic implications. We investigated the association between diabetes, prediabetes, and EOD, focusing on the influence of diabetes duration on EOD risk.
Methods:Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we analyzed data from 1,979,509 patients aged 40–60 years who underwent health checkups in 2009. Patients were categorized into five groups: normal, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), newly diagnosed diabetes, diabetes duration <5 years, and diabetes duration ≥5 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for EOD after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.
Results:During the observation period (mean 7.75 years), 8,921 patients with EOD were identified. The diabetes group demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of EOD compared to the normal group (aHR, 1.334; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.226 to 1.451). EOD risk increased with longer diabetes duration, with the highest risk observed in patients with diabetes ≥5 years (aHR, 1.543; 95% CI, 1.368 to 1.741). No significant difference was observed between the IFG and normal groups (aHR, 0.989; 95% CI, 0.938 to 1.043). Additionally, the hypertension group exhibited a significantly higher incidence of EOD compared to the non-hypertension group (aHR, 1.364; 95% CI, 1.291 to 1.442).
Conclusion:Diabetes is independently associated with increased risk of EOD, and this risk increases with longer diabetes duration. This association remained significant regardless of the presence and duration of hypertension.
