Type 2 diabetes patients suffer middle-aged health problems five years earlier than those without the condition, a new study has suggested.

Experts from the University of Cambridge examined data from the UK Biobank and GP records for three million people.

After examining 116 conditions commonly seen in the middle-aged, they found that those with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of 57 illnesses, with an overall nine per cent increased risk of cancer compared to people without it.

Those with type 2 diabetes were 5.2 times more likely to have end-stage kidney disease, 4.4 times more likely to have liver cancer and 3.2 times more likely to have macular degeneration of the eye.

When it came to circulatory conditions, such as of the heart, blood vessels or blood, those with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of 23 out of 31 problems.

Prevention and delay ‘essential’

Type 2 diabetes was found to be associated with a higher risk of poor health across all 11 broad categories, with a 2.6 times higher risk of neurological issues, a 2.3 times higher risk of eye problems, 1.9 times higher risk of digestive issues and 1.8 times higher risk of mental health problems.

The study of people aged over 30, the most comprehensive of its type, also found those with type 2 diabetes suffered these problems an average five years earlier than those without the condition.

Experts found that higher risks occurred when people were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes under the age of 50.