Cardiovascular disease in adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in persons less than 20 years of age is increasing dramatically due to increasing obesity and inactivity, particularly in young African Americans. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in this population are similar to those observed in adults with T2DM, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and proteinuria. Accordingly, it seems prudent to pursue therapeutic strategies proven to reduce CVD in adult patients with DM soon after the diagnosis of T2DM in young persons.