Ethnic differences in the association between age at diagnosis of diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular complications: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: We examined ethnic differences in the association between age at diagnosis of diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular complications. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada among individuals with diabetes and matched individuals without diabetes (2002-18). We fit Cox proportional hazards models to determine the associations of age at diagnosis and ethnicity (Chinese, South Asian, general population) with cardiovascular complications. We tested for an interaction between age at diagnosis and ethnicity. RESULTS: There were 453,433 individuals with diabetes (49.7% women) and 453,433 matches. There was a significant interaction between age at diagnosis and ethnicity (P < 0.0001). Young-onset diabetes (age at diagnosis < 40) was associated with higher cardiovascular risk [hazard ratios: Chinese 4.25 (3.05–5.91), South Asian: 3.82 (3.19–4.57), General: 3.46 (3.26–3.66)] than usual-onset diabetes [age at diagnosis ≥ 40 years; Chinese: 2.22 (2.04–2.66), South Asian: 2.43 (2.22–2.66), General: 1.83 (1.81–1.86)] versus ethnicity-matched individuals. Among those with young-onset diabetes, Chinese ethnicity was associated with lower overall cardiovascular [0.44 (0.32–0.61)] but similar stroke risks versus the general population; while South Asian ethnicity was associated with lower overall cardiovascular [0.75 (0.64–0.89)] but similar coronary artery disease risks versus the general population. In usual-onset diabetes, Chinese ethnicity was associated with lower cardiovascular risk [0.44 (0.42–0.46)], while South Asian ethnicity was associated with lower cardiovascular [0.90 (0.86–0.95)] and higher coronary artery disease [1.08 (1.01–1.15)] risks versus the general population. CONCLUSIONS: There are important ethnic differences in the association between age at diagnosis and risk of cardiovascular complications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-023-01951-z.