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Daily Report

Daily Endocrinology Research Analysis

12/21/2025
3 papers selected
19 analyzed

Analyzed 19 papers and selected 3 impactful papers.

Summary

Three high-impact endocrinology papers stand out today: a PROSPERO-registered systematic review showing persistently elevated type 2 diabetes prevalence among Indigenous Peoples worldwide; an international consensus endorsing CGM and recommending AID use for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes; and dual-cohort evidence that adverse SDOH and unhealthy lifestyle additively shorten life expectancy across CKM stages. These works collectively sharpen equity-focused diabetes epidemiology, guide pregnancy care, and quantify the social-behavioral impact on cardiometabolic outcomes.

Research Themes

  • Diabetes equity and epidemiology
  • Diabetes technology in pregnancy
  • Social determinants and cardiometabolic risk

Selected Articles

1. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes among global Indigenous adult populations: a systematic review.

77Level IISystematic Review
Diabetologia · 2025PMID: 41422461

This PROSPERO-registered systematic review synthesizes 202 studies across at least 187 Indigenous populations in 37 countries. Type 2 diabetes prevalence frequently exceeded global averages in every decade from 1980–2020, increased with age, peaked in midlife (45–54 years), and was often higher in women. The authors call for representative data and Indigenous-led, culturally safe strategies.

Impact: This is the most comprehensive, protocol-registered synthesis of type 2 diabetes prevalence among Indigenous Peoples, quantifying decades-long inequities and identifying sex- and age-specific burdens.

Clinical Implications: Clinicians and systems should prioritize proactive screening and culturally safe, community-led interventions for Indigenous populations, with attention to women and individuals in midlife.

Key Findings

  • Included 202 studies covering at least 187 Indigenous populations from 37 countries.
  • Across 1980–2020, a mean of 73% of Indigenous populations reported type 2 diabetes prevalence above global estimates.
  • Prevalence increased over time and with age; the highest reported prevalence was 50.5% in ages 45–54.
  • Indigenous women frequently had higher prevalence than men in 73% of studies.
  • Limitations included possible publication bias and incomplete naming of specific Nations/Tribes.

Methodological Strengths

  • Protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021258623).
  • Quality assessment using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale incorporating Indigenous-specific criteria.

Limitations

  • Potential publication bias may have reduced the number of included studies.
  • Some studies did not identify specific Nations/Tribes, limiting granularity.

Future Directions: Generate representative, nation-specific prevalence data; investigate drivers of both high and low prevalence; and scale Indigenous-led, culturally safe prevention and management programs.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Despite evidence documenting high prevalence of type 2 diabetes among several Indigenous populations, a comprehensive systematic review of type 2 diabetes among global Indigenous Peoples has not been recently conducted. Our aim was to report region-, time-, age- and sex-specific type 2 diabetes prevalence among Indigenous adult populations globally. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL were searched for English-language studies published between 1 January 1980 and 3 March 2023. Studies reporting type 2 diabetes prevalence and/or cases of diabetes among global Indigenous adult populations aged 18 years and older were included. Type 2 diabetes prevalence data were extracted for the overall Indigenous population, sex, age group and year. Summaries of extracted data were tabulated, and are presented using comprehensive tables and figures. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale reflective of Indigenous-specific criteria was applied to assess paper quality. RESULTS: The search identified 2332 studies, of which 202 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies represented at least 187 Indigenous populations from 37 countries, although the exact number of populations is approximate, as some studies did not name specific Nations/Tribes/Groups for populations from different geographic regions. Diabetes prevalence ranged from 0 to 40%, with a mean of 73% of Indigenous populations reporting type 2 diabetes prevalence above the estimated global prevalences for every decade between 1980 and 2020. Prevalence increased over time and with age for many populations, with the highest reported prevalence (50.5%) in the 45-54 year age group. Type 2 diabetes prevalence was notably high among Indigenous women, with 73% of studies reporting higher prevalence for Indigenous women than for Indigenous men. Potential limitations include publication bias, which may have led to fewer studies being included in this review. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Type 2 diabetes prevalence among Indigenous adult populations was markedly higher than the global averages in every decade from 1980 to 2020, with a mean of 73% of populations reporting higher prevalence. These findings underscore the persistent and disproportionate burden of diabetes experienced by many Indigenous communities over several decades. Future work should aim to generate representative data on type 2 diabetes prevalence across global Indigenous populations, investigate factors that contribute to alarmingly high and notably low diabetes prevalence, and support Indigenous-led, culturally safe, Indigenous population-specific health practices to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes and achieve equitable outcomes. FUNDING: There was no funding source for this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021258623.

2. Application of continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery technologies for pregnant women with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes: an international consensus statement.

74.5Level IVSystematic Review
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology · 2025PMID: 41421368

This international consensus emphasizes CGM use before conception and throughout pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes and supports AID systems to improve glycaemic management during pregnancy and postpartum. It highlights evidence gaps for CGM diagnostic thresholds and time-in-range targets in gestational and type 2 diabetes, calling for trials.

Impact: Endorsed by 24 organizations, these recommendations may rapidly standardize the use of CGM and AID in pregnancy, addressing a high-risk period with limited RCT data.

Clinical Implications: Adopt CGM for women with type 1 diabetes preconception through postpartum; consider AID systems with multidisciplinary oversight. Exercise caution for gestational and type 2 diabetes pending validated CGM thresholds and treatment targets.

Key Findings

  • Insulin resistance increases after the first trimester, complicating glycaemic control in pregnancy.
  • Compelling evidence supports CGM in type 1 diabetes; growing evidence supports AID during type 1 diabetes pregnancies.
  • Appropriate CGM glucose thresholds for GDM diagnosis and time-in-range targets for GDM and type 2 diabetes remain to be determined.
  • Recommendations are endorsed by 24 societies and address preconception, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.

Methodological Strengths

  • International, multi-society consensus integrating available clinical and technological evidence.
  • Actionable, lifecycle-oriented recommendations spanning preconception to postpartum.

Limitations

  • Limited large RCT evidence before and during pregnancy for CGM/AID.
  • Unresolved diagnostic thresholds and treatment targets for GDM and type 2 diabetes.

Future Directions: Conduct RCTs and pragmatic trials of CGM/AID across pregnancy stages; define CGM diagnostic thresholds and TIR targets for GDM and type 2 diabetes; evaluate maternal–fetal safety and health-system implementation.

Insulin resistance increases after the first trimester of pregnancy, leading to glycaemic challenges for women with pregestational type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Additionally, insulin resistance can promote hyperglycaemia in pregnant women without type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, who develop gestational diabetes. Although most (>95%) women with diabetes deliver healthy babies, maternal dysglycaemia can have consequences for the mother and child, including prenatal, perinatal, immediate, and long-term postnatal complications. Diabetes technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems can aid in optimising glycaemia outside of pregnancy. These novel technologies have not been extensively tested in large randomised controlled trials before and during pregnancy. However, compelling data report the benefits of CGM in type 1 diabetes, and increasing data report on AID systems in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes. Appropriate CGM glucose thresholds for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes and the recommended time in range treatment targets for the routine management of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes still need to be determined. The recommendations in this Consensus Statement emphasise the value of CGM during preconception and pregnancy for women with pregestational type 1 diabetes in reducing pregnancy complications. Recommendations also include the use of AID systems in women with pregestational type 1 diabetes to improve glycaemic management during preconception, during pregnancy and delivery, and in the postpartum period. This Consensus Statement has been endorsed by 24 societies and groups.

3. SDOH, healthy lifestyle, and life expectancy in adults with CKM syndrome: two cohort studies.

71Level IICohort
Progress in cardiovascular diseases · 2025PMID: 41421792

Across UK Biobank and NHANES, worse CKM stages, adverse SDOH, and unhealthy lifestyle were independently and additively associated with higher mortality and shorter life expectancy. Life expectancy at age 50 varied widely by CKM status and behaviors, underscoring the need for integrated social–behavioral interventions.

Impact: This study quantifies how social disadvantage and lifestyle jointly shape life expectancy across CKM stages in two large cohorts, offering directly actionable targets for risk stratification and intervention.

Clinical Implications: In CKM populations, embed SDOH assessment and lifestyle counseling into routine care to improve survival. Use CKM stage with SDOH and lifestyle scores to prioritize intensive management.

Key Findings

  • Included 213,738 UK Biobank and 10,345 NHANES participants with CKM at baseline.
  • Advanced CKM stages correlated with higher mortality and shorter life expectancy in both cohorts.
  • Higher SDOH weighted scores and lower healthy lifestyle scores independently increased mortality risk.
  • The joint effects of CKM status, SDOH, and lifestyle were additive, markedly widening life expectancy gaps.
  • At age 50, life expectancy ranged from 33.9 to 13.2 years in NHANES and from 34.2 to 21.7 years in UK Biobank across best to worst profiles.

Methodological Strengths

  • Two large, population-based cohorts with consistent findings across countries.
  • Use of Cox models and life table methods to quantify mortality risk and life expectancy.

Limitations

  • Observational design limits causal inference.
  • Potential residual confounding and incomplete specification of some thresholds/targets.

Future Directions: Test integrated interventions addressing SDOH and lifestyle across CKM stages; refine CKM staging and risk tools by incorporating social and behavioral metrics; evaluate implementation in diverse health systems.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the independent and joint associations of social determinants of health (SDOH) and healthy lifestyle factors with life expectancy among adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed two prospective population-based cohorts: the UK Biobank (2006-2010) and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2018). Adults with CKM at baseline and complete data on SDOH and lifestyle indicators were included. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate mortality risk by CKM stage, SDOH, and lifestyle adherence. Life expectancy at age 50 was calculated using life table methods, stratified by CKM stage and levels of SDOH and lifestyle. RESULTS: A total of 213,738 UK Biobank participants (6.69 % deaths) and 10,345 NHANES participants (9.48 % deaths) were included. Advanced CKM stages were associated with significantly higher mortality risk and shorter life expectancy in both cohorts. Individuals with higher SDOH weighted scores or lower healthy lifestyle scores had elevated mortality risks. The joint effects of poor CKM status, adverse SDOH, and unhealthy lifestyle were additive. In NHANES, life expectancy at age 50 ranged from 33.9 years (CKM stage 0 with healthy lifestyle) to 13.2 years (CKM stage 4 with unhealthy lifestyle). In the UK Biobank, the corresponding figures were 34.2 and 21.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: In two large cohorts, poorer CKM health, greater social disadvantage, and unhealthy lifestyles were each independently and jointly associated with lower life expectancy. These findings support the need for integrated strategies targeting both social and behavioral factors to improve outcomes in CKM populations.