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The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age

Bo Hansson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when he was 64. His elevated blood sugar was discovered during a routine visit to the Occupational Health Service.
Bo Hansson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when he was 64. His elevated blood sugar was discovered during a routine visit to the Occupational Health Service.

A mapping conducted at Lund University shows that 40 per cent of all adults that has the disease got it at an average age of 67. Bo Hansson received his diagnosis the year before he retired during a routine visit to the Occupational Health Service.
“The doctor said, ‘You have diabetes, I will prescribe you some pills.’”

Today, thirteen years later, Bo and his wife Gerty receive us at their home in Eslöv. He left his working life behind a long time ago, but not for sedentary retirement.

“I’m very active – that I believe is key. And I quit smoking right away.”

Active life

In addition to long walks, preferably with the local diabetes association, he spends a lot of time in the garden which is thriving despite the record-breaking hot spring. The fig tree, peach tree, apple and plum trees are all bursting with fruit. Against one wall, a grapevine is growing, and against another are currant and gooseberry bushes.

To Bo Hansson, receiving a diabetes diagnosis did not involve any major change. Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, who need to measure their blood sugar several times a day and inject insulin in connection with every meal, he only needs to take pills (Metformin that lowers the blood sugar and medicine for high blood pressure and high blood lipids) and one shot of long-acting insulin in the evening to prevent high blood sugar in the morning.

Five different groups

The recent mapping shows that there is also a big difference between individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study therefore proposes a new classification of diabetes diseases into five different groups.

“Bo Hansson probably belongs to the group of type 2 diabetics who, in the mapping, were affected by diabetes fairly late in life without being particularly overweight, and who are lucky enough not to have an increased risk of severe complications”, says Emma Ahlqvist, associate professor and author of a publication about the new classification.

“In addition to a more refined classification, we can also see that different groups are more or less at risk of complications, which means that it is possible to begin treatment at an earlier stage that prevents complications in patients who are most at risk”

Exercise is important in case of type 2 diabetes. Bo Hansson is happy to bring his walking sticks when taking long walks.
Like other diabetics, Hansson attends regular eye check-ups. He also meets with his diabetes nurse twice a year, and sees a doctor once a year.

“At my last visit to the diabetes nurse, she reduced my insulin dose and removed one type of pill. My tests indicated no kidney or heart problems”, he says with satisfaction, and points out that he has also lost two kilos and two centimetres off his waistline since his last check-up.
Bo and Gerty make sure to eat healthily, although it is not always easy.
“I like cake as much as the next person, but I don’t drink soda and I don’t eat much fruit as it contains a lot of sugar. I have been advised to eat a maximum of seven grapes or three plums. But I’m allowed to have one ice-cream a week”, laughs Bo.

No major inconvenience

He has not experienced any major inconvenience from his diabetes but tells the story of a party where he ate meringue cake that resulted in high blood sugar.

“The mapping gives us better opportunities to personalise treatment for each individual”, says associate professor Emma Ahlqvist, one of the researchers behind the study. Photo: Johan Bävman
“The mapping gives us better opportunities to personalise treatment for each individual”, says associate professor Emma Ahlqvist, one of the researchers behind the study. Photo: Johan Bävman

“Then I didn’t feel well, I had to lie down for a rest and drink water.”

Another time, his blood sugar dropped after working for a long time in the garden and not eating properly.

“My legs started to shake. It turned out that my blood sugar level was below 3 (ed. note: normal is between 4 and 6). But it was corrected with a couple of glasses of milk. People who don’t know about diabetes think you’re drunk”, says Bo, adding that he has a card in his wallet saying he is diabetic.

He does not know why he got type 2 diabetes.

“My mother most likely had it, but it wasn’t discovered until she moved into an old people’s home when she was more than 80 years old. Today, it is discovered much earlier. It has indeed become a popular disease.”

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