Clinical characteristics of adolescents and young adults with type 2 diabetes and Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies:a single-center experience in China from 2011 to 2023OA

OBJECTIVE:To clarify the clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults(T2DMY)patients,and their treatment strategies involving Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)and Western Medicine.METHODS:This study was conducted at Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of TCM.Clinical data of outpatients and inpatients from 2011 to 2023 were retrieved from the electronic medical record database with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)as the first diagnosis.RESULTS:A total of 405 outpatients and 570 inpatients with T2DMY were included in the analysis.Compared with middle aged and elderly T2DM patients(T2DME),T2DMY patients have a higher proportion of diabetes family history and higher body mass index,poorer control of blood glucose,blood lipid,liver and kidney function,and a higher incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and gout.In terms of anti-diabetes treatment,T2DMY patients are more likely to receive metformin and insulin drugs.In terms of TCM diagnosis and treatment,compared with T2DME patients,T2DMY patients are more frequently diagnosed with the syndrome of phlegm damp trapped spleen,and more herbs such as Fuling(Poria)and Chenpi(Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)are more frequently used to invigorate the spleen and dispel dampness.CONCLUSION:Compared with T2DME patients,T2DMY patients have worse metabolism.In the treatment of TCM,more attention can be paid to the function of the spleen,and the herbal medicine can be used to enhance the function of the spleen and dispell dampness when it is compatible with Qi tonifying drugs.