New subtype of diabetes found in Africa; regular opioid use linked to increased dementia risk; weight rebound common after stopping anti-obesity medications – Morning Medical Update

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New subtype of diabetes found in African youth could upend treatment norms

Researchers have identified a previously unclassified, non-autoimmune form of diabetes in children and young adults across sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns that many patients are misdiagnosed and receiving suboptimal treatment. Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the Young-Onset Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa (YODA) study found 65% of participants lacked the typical markers for type 1 diabetes. The discovery, also detected in a small number of Black American children, highlights the urgent need for more diverse, region-specific diabetes research and care.

Regular opioid use linked to increased dementia risk

A large UK Biobank study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that regular opioid use — especially strong opioids — is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, including vascular dementia. Researchers linked opioid use to reduced brain volume and lower cognitive performance, suggesting that long-term pain management strategies should weigh potential neurological risks.

Weight rebound common after stopping obesity meds

Patients often regain weight after stopping anti-obesity medications, according to a meta-analysis of 11 trials, published in BMC Medicine. Researchers found weight regain typically began eight weeks post-treatment, often continuing for months, with some patients regaining nearly half of the weight they lost. The trend was consistent across GLP-1 therapies.