Diabetes & Metabolism Journal

Original Articles

Guideline/Statement/Fact Sheet
Diabetes Fact Sheet 2025: Special Edition on Diabetes with Obesity and in Pregnancy: Se Eun Park, Se Hee Min, Jin Hwa Kim, Seung-Hwan Lee, Han Na Jung, Joon Ho Moon, Kyungdo Han, Seung-Hyun Ko, Bong Soo Cha, Sung Hee Choi; Diabetes Metab J. 2026;50(2):255-266. Published online March 1, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.1162

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Background
We evaluated epidemiologic trends and clinical characteristics in Koreans with diabetes and obesity and in those with diabetes in pregnancy.
Methods
We analyzed Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2012–2023) to assess obesity trends in people with diabetes and used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2013–2023) to evaluate diabetes in pregnancy.
Results
Among Korean adults with diabetes (≥19 years), 52.4% had obesity and 61.1% had abdominal obesity. Only 39.9% achieved the glycemic target (glycosylated hemoglobin <6.5%). The obesity prevalence was higher in younger age groups, and abdominal obesity showed an upward trend over the last 12 years. Diabetes in pregnancy increased despite declining total births, with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rising from 7.6% to 12.4%, and pregestational diabetes from 0.9% to 2.1%, reflecting older maternal age and pre-pregnancy obesity. Women with prior GDM had a higher risk of postpartum type 2 diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio, 6.07; 95% confidence interval, 5.97 to 6.17).
Conclusion
Obesity and abdominal obesity are highly prevalent among Korean adults with diabetes, with abdominal obesity increasing over the past decade, and obesity disproportionately affects younger adults. Diabetes in pregnancy has also increased with older maternal age and worsening pre-pregnancy metabolic health, underscoring the need for early weight-focused prevention.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Diabetes Fact Sheet 2025: Comparative Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Obese and Non-Obese Diabetes in Korea
Jin Hwa Kim, Bongseong Kim, Se Eun Park, Seung-Hyun Ko, Sung Hee Choi, Bong Soo Cha, Kyungdo Han, Seung-Hwan Lee
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2026; 50(2): 267. CrossRef
Diabetes in Pregnancy in Korea: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Postpartum Comorbidities
Joon Ho Moon, Han Na Jung, Bongseong Kim, Seung-Hyun Ko, Soo Heon Kwak, Kyung-Do Han, Sung Hee Choi
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2026; 50(2): 280. CrossRef

Guideline/Statement/Fact Sheet
Diabetes in Pregnancy in Korea: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Postpartum Comorbidities: Joon Ho Moon, Han Na Jung, Bongseong Kim, Seung-Hyun Ko, Soo Heon Kwak, Kyung-Do Han, Sung Hee Choi, on Behalf of the Committee of Public Relation of the Korean Diabetes Association; Diabetes Metab J. 2026;50(2):280-290. Published online March 1, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.1161

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
Diabetes in pregnancy (DIP), encompassing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), has limited nationwide data in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and management of DIP using representative national data.
Methods
Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we analyzed 3,451,648 delivery records from 2013 to 2023 and 1,401,233 health examination records. The prevalence of DIP according to maternal factors, management modalities, and postpartum surveillance was examined. Long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was evaluated among 3,068,834 deliveries from 2003 to 2013 using Cox regression models.
Results
The prevalence of GDM and PGDM increased over the decade, reaching 12.4% and 2.1% in 2023. Both were more common with advancing maternal age, adiposity, and preexisting hypertension or dyslipidemia. Approximately 90% of women with GDM were managed by lifestyle modification alone, whereas 70% with PGDM received insulin monotherapy. Postpartum glycemic testing within 1 year increased from 32.0% to 42.9% for GDM and from 61.1% to 68.1% for PGDM between 2018 and 2022, though rates remained suboptimal. During a median follow-up of 13.4 to 16.2 years, CVD risk was significantly higher in women with GDM (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40 to 1.55) and PGDM (aHR, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.82 to 3.28) than in those without DIP.
Conclusion
The prevalence of DIP is rising in Korea, particularly among older and metabolically unhealthy women. Despite this burden, postpartum glucose surveillance remains insufficient, and DIP is linked to increased long-term cardiovascular risk, underscoring the need for improved postpartum monitoring and preventive care.

Complications
Impact of Remnant Cholesterol on the Risk for End-Stage Renal Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study: Eun Roh, Ji Hye Heo, Han Na Jung, Kyung-Do Han, Jun Goo Kang, Seong Jin Lee, Sung-Hee Ihm; Diabetes Metab J. 2025;49(5):1106-1115. Published online May 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2024.0406

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Background
Remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) has been linked to the risk of various vascular diseases, but the association between remnant-C and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear.
Methods
Using a nationwide cohort, a total of 2,537,149 patients with T2DM without ESRD, who had participated in the national health screening in 2009, were enrolled and followed up until 2020. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were assessed by the Martin-Hopkins method, and remnant-C was calculated as total cholesterol–LDL-C–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Results
During a median follow-up period of 10.3 years, 26,246 patients with T2DM (1.03%) developed ESRD. Participants in the upper quartile of remnant-C had a higher risk of ESRD, with hazard ratios of 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.17), 1.20 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.24), and 1.33 (95% CI, 1.26 to 1.41) in the second, third, and fourth quartile, compared with the lowest quartile, in multivariable-adjusted analyses. The positive association between remnant-C and ESRD remained consistent, irrespective of age, sex, presence of pre-existing comorbidities, and use of anti-dyslipidemic medications. The increased risk of ESRD was more pronounced in high-risk subgroups, including those with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and a longer duration of diabetes.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that remnant-C profiles in T2DM have a predictive role for future progression of ESRD, independent of traditional risk factors for renal dysfunction.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Impact of Remnant Cholesterol on the Risk for End-Stage Renal Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study (Diabetes Metab J 2025;49:1106-15)
Jun Hwa Hong
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2026; 50(1): 190. CrossRef
A Narrative Review of Remnant Cholesterol as an Independent Atherogenic Lipoprotein in Type 2 Diabetes: Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications
Ramdhani Natsir, Eli Halimah, Ajeng Diantini, Jutti Levita
Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.2026; Volume 22: 1. CrossRef

Complications
Burden of End-Stage Kidney Disease by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Status in South Korea: A Nationwide Epidemiologic Study: Jwa-Kyung Kim, Han Na Jung, Bum Jun Kim, Boram Han, Ji Hye Huh, Eun Roh, Joo-Hee Kim, Kyung-Do Han, Jun Goo Kang; Diabetes Metab J. 2025;49(3):498-506. Published online March 6, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2024.0443

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Background
Patients with diabetes are known to be at high risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), but the accurate annual risk data for new-onset ESKD is still limited. In South Korea, the prevalence and incidence of ESKD are increasing more rapidly compared to the global average. This study aimed to determine the incidence rate (IR) of ESKD by diabetes status from 2012 to 2022.
Methods
Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, we calculated the IR and hazard ratio (HR) for newonset ESKD in the general population. Individuals were categorized based on diabetes status into nondiabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), diabetes duration <5 and ≥5 years.
Results
Among the participants, 67.6% were nondiabetic, 22.3% had IFG, and 10% had diabetes. In Korea, the IRs of ESKD were 139 per million population (pmp) for nondiabetes, 188 pmp for IFG, 632 pmp for diabetes <5 years, and 3,403 pmp for diabetes ≥5 years. An advanced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) category was the strongest risk factor for ESKD development. However, even in patients with normal renal function, those with long-standing diabetes had a 14-fold higher risk of ESKD compared to nondiabetic individuals. The risk of ESKD associated with diabetes increased exponentially with declining renal function. Notably, IFG showed an increasing tendency for ESKD in younger patients (<65 years) with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD; eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m²).
Conclusion
Longer diabetes duration amplifies ESKD risk, particularly as renal function declines. Even in patients with normal renal function, long-standing diabetes significantly increases ESKD risk, while IFG is associated with elevated risk only in younger individuals with early-stage CKD.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Development and validation of a machine learning model to predict comorbid hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes
Hailu Yang, Changfeng Fan, Chunyan Liu
Frontiers in Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Effectiveness and Safety of Finerenone in Patients With Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Real‐World Observational Study
Jaehyun Bae, Minyoung Lee, Hyung Woo Kim, Jung Tak Park, Seung Hyeok Han, Byung‐Wan Lee, Eun Seok Kang, Bong‐Soo Cha, Tae‐Hyun Yoo, Yong‐ho Lee
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

Editorial

Comparing the Mortality Risk between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Han Na Jung, Chang Hee Jung; Diabetes Metab J. 2023;47(2):198-200. Published online March 15, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2023.0038

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