The role of family health history in diabetes

Family history information

Family history information can be a useful tool for "prognosis, diagnosis and overall health". Family history of diabetes reflects genetic and environmental factors and can lead to a better prediction of type 2 diabetes than genetic factors and environmental factors alone.

Relationship between family history and diabetes

A study showed that the family history of diabetes is strongly related to the occurrence of diabetes . Another study also stated that parental history of diabetes is an independent risk factor for diabetes

Effect of first degree relatives on family history of diabetes

The researchers showed that the family history of diabetes in first degree relatives (parents, children and siblings) is a strong and independent risk factor for the prevalence of fasting sugar disorder (prediabetes) in children and adolescents in the absence of obesity. The results suggest that consideration of parental diabetes history is important when screening children and adolescents with diabetes and should be considered in addition to obesity-based screening. A study also found that a family history of diabetes in at least two first-degree relatives or one first-degree relative and at least two second-degree relatives was significant for the prevalence of type 2 diabetes . Having said that, it cannot be denied that the existence of a family history of diabetes can strengthen the relationship between obesity and diabetes . According to this, a person with a BMI⩾35 and a family history of diabetes is at a higher risk of developing diabetes compared to a person without a family history of diabetes

Premature diabetes and family history

"People with a family history of diabetes can be at risk for early-onset diabetes compared to people without a family history." However, it is difficult to conclude that among the family history of diabetes, maternal, paternal, or both, which is more important for the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes because the results are conflicting in studies.

The influence of other factors on diabetes

The relationship between gender and diabetes

However, this association is weaker in men without cardiovascular disease. In addition, this association is much greater in men aged 45 to 54 compared to men aged 55 to 68. Also, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is stronger in men than in women . This suggests that a history of parental diabetes in combination with other risk factors, such as increasing age, gender, and cardiovascular disease, increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Effect of ethnicity

In addition, ethnicity is also considered an important factor in obese individuals with a family history of diabetes.

Conclusion

Family history information can be a useful tool for prognosis, diagnosis and overall health. Family history of diabetes reflects genetic and environmental factors and can lead to a better prediction of type 2 diabetes than genetic factors and environmental factors alone. So that diabetes can occur earlier in people with a family history of diabetes, compared to people without a family history.

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