Disparities in diabetes incidence and prevalence among koreans under 30 in 2008-2021: a greater burden on socioeconomically disadvantaged populations

Kim Hwa Young; Eunjeong Ji; Hakyung Lee; Jaehyun Kim

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.P333

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 P333 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.P333

ECEESPE2025 Poster Presentations Diabetes and Insulin (143 abstracts)

Disparities in diabetes incidence and prevalence among koreans under 30 in 2008–2021: a greater burden on socioeconomically disadvantaged populations

Hwa Young Kim^{1, 2}, Eunjeong Ji³, Hakyung Lee⁴ & Jaehyun Kim^{1, 2}

Author affiliations

¹Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Pediatrics, Seongnam, South Korea; ²Seoul National University College of Medicine, Pediatrics, Seoul, South Korea; ³Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Medical Research Collaborating Center, Seongnam, South Korea; ⁴Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang, South Korea

JOINT492

Background: The burden of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally, with significant implications for younger populations. This study evaluated temporal trends in the incidence and prevalence of type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Korean individuals aged <30 years from 2008 to 2021.

Methods: Data from the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea were analyzed to assess trends by sex and age group. Sex- and socioeconomic status (SES)-adjusted rate ratios (aRRs) were calculated to evaluate annual changes in incidence and prevalence rates.

Results: For T1DM, incidence per 100, 000 persons increased from 3. 02 (95% CI, 2. 78–3. 27) in 2008 to 3. 75 (95% CI, 3. 45–4. 06) in 2021 (aRR: 1. 017, P < 0. 0001). This increase was significant in the 0–14 age group (from 2. 65 to 5. 28, aRR: 1. 041, P < 0. 0001), while the 15–29 age group showed no significant change (from 3. 32 to 2. 70, aRR: 0. 997, P=0. 5069). Females consistently had higher incidence than males (aRR: 1. 176, P < 0. 0001). Prevalence increased from 21. 83 (95% CI, 21. 17–22. 49) in 2008 to 46. 42 (95% CI, 45. 34–47. 50) in 2021 (aRR: 1. 058, P < 0. 0001), with increases observed across all age groups and sexes. For T2DM, incidence escalated from 27. 61 (95% CI, 26. 87–28. 36) in 2008 to 60. 45 (95% CI, 59. 22–61. 69) in 2021 (aRR: 1. 083, P < 0. 0001). A sharp rise was observed in the 0–14 age group (from 4. 94 to 17. 59, aRR: 1. 105, P <0. 0001) and nearly doubled in the 15–29 age group (from 46. 05 to 89. 81, aRR: 1. 075, P <0. 0001). Females consistently had lower incidence than males (aRR: 0. 800, P < 0. 0001). Prevalence increased dramatically from 73. 30 (95% CI, 72. 09–74. 51) in 2008 to 270. 39 (95% CI, 267. 79–272. 99) in 2021 (aRR 1. 104, P <0. 0001), with higher rates among males (from 75. 51 to 298. 61, aRR: 1. 111, P <0. 0001) and the 15–29 age group (from 124. 99 to 430. 37, aRR: 1. 098, P <0. 0001). Significant SES-related disparities were evident, with lower SES individuals having higher incidence (T1DM: aRR 1. 483; T2DM: aRR 2. 282, P < 0. 0001) and prevalence (T1DM: aRR 2. 861; T2DM: aRR 3. 699, P < 0. 0001).

Conclusion: The rising incidence and prevalence of diabetes, particularly among younger age groups, underscore an urgent need for public health interventions to mitigate the growing diabetes burden among Korean youth and young adults.