Known Risk Factors For Diabetes Research Articles

IJCM_179A: Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among M.B.B.S students.

Background: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising in India. Medical students are vulnerable to overweight and obesity because of the sedentary lifestyle which is frequently adopted due to massive work burden, erratic food timings and exposure to stressful situations. Obesity is a well known risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, gall stones and osteoarthritis. Hence, this study is taken up to assess prevalence of overweight and obesity among M.B.B.S students. Objective: To assess prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among M.B.B.S students in N.S.C.B Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Methodology: A descriptive cross - sectional study is conducted among medical students of N.S.C.B Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Socio demographic details are recorded using structured proforma. Anthropometric and clinical parameters are measured using standard techniques. The data will be analyzed using SPSS software. Statistical analysis will be done by using appropriate statistical test. Results: Out of 310 medical students 61% (189) were males and 39% (121) were females. Prevalence of overweight and obesity according to WHO classification of BMI, was 14.33% and 3.34% respectively and according to Asia Pacific classification, it was 9.7 % and 17.66 % respectively. Significant association was found between overweight/obesity and eating junk food and carbonated drinks (p<0.05) and habit of munching between meals (p<0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 14.33% and 3.34% respectively among medical students of NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, MP.

Body weight changes and diabetes mellitus incident: A cohort study from the Middle East.

Obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes, but the effect of weight changes on the incidence of diabetes is not yet determined. This study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of weight change [based on body mass index (BMI)] on the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in a middle eastern population. In the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS) 6504 adults equal or greater than 35 years of age were recruited at 2001 and were followed until 2013. Absolute BMI changes (ΔBMI) were calculated by subtracting the baseline BMI from the BMI measured at follow-ups. To compare participants with different baseline BMI easier, relative changes in BMI were quantified as the percentage of changes from baseline. DM was assessed based on standard definitions. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine the association between ΔBMI and the incidence of diabetes. During follow-ups, 261 new cases of diabetes were recorded, with an IR of 3401.29 per 100,000 P-Y. The highest number of new cases of type 2 DM belongs to participants with overweight and obesity who had minimal BMI changes (less than 5% of their baseline BMI limits; 42 and 38 new cases, respectively). Participants who were obese at baseline and had lost more than 10% or gained 5-10% of baseline BMI were in the groups with the highest IR [360.05-95% CI (239.3-541.8) and 322.39-95% CI (178.5-582.1) respectively]. There was no significant association between BMI changes and the incidence of DM in the participants with normal BMI, overweight, and obesity at baseline in cure and adjusted models. This study showed there was no significant association between diabetes mellitus incidence and BMI changes.

Relation of urinary bisphenol concentration and diabetes or prediabetes in French adults: A cross-sectional study.

International research has recently shown an association between exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and the risk of diabetes, although limited results are available for exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between impregnation with BPA, BPS, and BPF and the prevalence of diabetes or prediabetes in the French adult population. Based on the Esteban cross-sectional study, 852 adults aged 18 to 74 years living in France were included. To assess the link between urinary concentration of BPA, BPS and BPF and a state of dysglycemia (diabetes or prediabetes), logistic regression multivariable models were performed and adjusted for known risk factors for diabetes and urine creatinine concentration. The percentage of included individuals with diabetes or prediabetes was 17.8% (95% CI = [15.3-20.4]). Urinary BPA concentration was significantly higher in people with diabetes or prediabetes, independent of the known risk factors for diabetes (OR for an increase of 0.1 units in log-transformed concentration of BPA (μg/L) = 1.12; 95%CI = [1.05-1.19], p < 0.001). However, we did not find any significant independent association between urinary BPS and BPF levels and the prevalence of diabetes or prediabetes. In this sample, considering the diabetes risk factors, diabetes or prediabetes was positively associated with higher urinary BPA concentration but not with urinary BPS and BPF concentrations. However, analysis of prospective longitudinal studies are still necessary to demonstrate a causal link between bisphenol exposure and the risk of diabetes or prediabetes.

How Much Excess Body Weight, Blood Pressure, Triglyceride, or Age Can Double the Likelihood of Diabetes Type 2?

Background:We aimed to identify the level of known risk factors of diabetes associated with doubled likelihood of diabetes type 2.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, an analysis was performed on the data of 9930 individuals aged 15 yr and older participating from 2014 to 2018 in the second phase of the Kerman coronary artery disease risk factors study (KERCADRS), Kerman, Iran. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with doubled chance of diabetes.Results:The mean age of participants was 46.1±15.5 yr from which 59.5% were women. Overall, 1105 (11.1%) individuals had type 2 diabetes. An increase of 13.86 yr in age, an increase of 17.32 kg/m2 unit in the amount of body mass index, an increase of 0.17 in the waist-to-hip ratio, a 77 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure and 6.07 unit increase in triglyceride to HDL ratio doubled the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.Conclusion:Slight changes in the waist-to-hip circumference ratio (0.17), aging (14 yr), and increase in TG/HDL ratio (6.07 unit) were the most important risk factors, while intense physical activity was the most important protective factor associated with doubling of the chances of developing diabetes. Since most of these risk factors are modifiable, increase in physical activity and providing facilities to improve lifestyle in the community seems necessary.

Breakfast Frequency and Diabetes Incidence in a Cohort of Middle-Age Women

Abstract Objectives To examine the relation between breakfast frequency and incidence of diabetes in middle-aged women. Methods The Mexican Teacher´s Cohort is a prospective study in women. We included 71,373 participants at baseline (2006–2008). Participants were classified according to breakfast frequency 0, 1–3, 4–6, or 7 d/wk; and meal frequency 1–2, 3–4, or ≥5 meals/d. Diabetes was self-reported. We used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to estimate the association between breakfast frequency and diabetes incidence. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle confounders that are associated with breakfast consumption and are risk factors for diabetes. Stratified analyses were performed for age, birth weight, indigenous background, and physical activity. Results We identified 3,613 new diabetes cases during a median of 2.2 years of follow-up. Prevalence of daily breakfast consumers was 25%. After adjustment for known risk factors for diabetes, compared to 0 d/wk, women who eat daily breakfast had 12% lower rate of diabetes (HR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 0.99; p-trend = 0.0018). One day additional per week having breakfast decreased the risk of diabetes (HR = 0.98; CI 0.97, 0.99). In stratified analysis, women with indigenous background who consumed breakfast 4–6 d/wk and 7 d/wk vs. 0 d/wk shown lower risk (HR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.47, 0.98) and HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.76 (0.51, 1.15) respectively; p-interaction = 0.197). Conclusions Daily breakfast was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes, independently of dietary and lifestyle factors. Likely effect modifiers as ethnicity warrants more research. Daily breakfast consumption is a potential component of diabetes prevention. Funding Sources This work is supported by the American Institute for Cancer Research (05B047) and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) grant S0008-2009-1: 000000000115312.

Factors associated with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in Germany: results from German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008–2011

IntroductionTo identify characteristics of people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) among adults in Germany.Research design and methodsThe study population comprised participants aged 40–79 years of the German Health Interview...

Abstract P132: Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women

Introduction: Given its role in ovarian follicle development, circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is correlated with timing of menopause. Accordingly, women with higher AMH levels become menopausal at a higher age. Previous research suggests that a higher age at menopause is associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In contrast, AMH levels are increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), who have a higher risk of insulin resistance and T2D than women without PCOS. However, it is not clear yet whether AMH actually plays a role in the development of T2D. We aimed to investigate whether plasma AMH levels and age-related AMH trajectories are associated with risk of T2D in women. Hypothesis: Higher age-specific plasma AMH levels are associated with a decreased risk of T2D. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from 3104 female participants, aged 20-60 years at recruitment, in the population-based Doetinchem Cohort Study. In total, we analyzed 12460 plasma AMH measurements. We calculated age-specific AMH tertiles, to account for the strong AMH-age correlation. Cox Proportional hazards models adjusted for known risk factors for diabetes were used to assess the relation between age-specific AMH tertiles and T2D. We applied linear mixed models to compare age-related AMH trajectories between T2D cases and non-cases. Results: After a median follow-up of 20 years, 163 incident T2D cases were identified. Higher age-specific AMH levels were associated with a lower risk of T2D (hazard ratio (HR) T2vsT1 = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.53-1.11; HR T3vsT1 =0.62, 95%CI: 0.40-0.94; p for trend = 0.02). These findings were supported by predicted AMH trajectories, which suggested that plasma AMH levels were lower at younger ages and declined at a slower rate in women who were diagnosed with T2D compared to women who were not. However, differences in trajectories between T2D cases and non-cases were not statistically significant. Conclusions: We observed that women with higher age-specific AMH levels were at a lower risk of T2D. In addition, our longitudinal analyses may suggest that AMH is lower in women who develop T2D compared to women who do not. These findings are in line with previous studies that observed that a higher age at menopause was associated with a decreased risk of T2D.

Association of genetic and behavioral characteristics with the onset of diabetes

BackgroundPrior work has established sociodemographic, lifestyle, and behavioral risk factors for diabetes but the contribution of these factors to the onset of diabetes remains unclear when accounting for genetic propensity for diabetes. We examined the contribution of a diabetes polygenic score (PGS) to the onset of diabetes in the context of modifiable known risk factors for diabetes.MethodsOur sample consisted of 15,190 respondents in the United States-based Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study with up to 22 years of follow-up. We performed multivariate Cox regression models stratified by race (non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black) with time-varying covariates.ResultsWe observed 4217 (27.76%) cases of incident diabetes over the survey period. The diabetes PGS was statistically significantly associated with diabetes onset for both non-Hispanic whites (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30, 1.46) and non-Hispanic blacks (HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.40) after adjusting for a range of known risk factors for diabetes, highlighting the critical role genetic endowment might play. Nevertheless, genetics do not downplay the role that modifiable characteristics could still play in diabetes management; even with the inclusion of the diabetes PGS, several behavioral and lifestyle characteristics remained significant for both race groups.ConclusionsThe effects of genetic and lifestyle characteristics should be taken into consideration for both future studies and diabetes management.

Diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes: The frequency and risk factors

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and risk factors for diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes as well as the factors related to kidney function decrease over a three-year period. Methods. The study involved 81 patients with type 2 diabetes, initially classified into two groups: the first group was comprised of 41 patients with DN (27 males; 62.03 &amp;amp;plusmn; 7.73 years) while the second one included 40 patients without DN (17 males, 61.73 &amp;amp;plusmn; 11.55 years). All of them were subjected to history taking, objective examination as well as laboratory examination. Based on the results of the study lasting for three years, the patients of both groups were divided into subgroups with stable kidney function and subgroups with impaired kidney function, defined as an increase in proteinuria level and/or decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by more than 25%. Results. In both groups, high incidence rates of known risk factors for diabetes and DN were recorded at the beginning of the study. The multivariate logistic analysis identified the female sex and the duration of diabetes as significant predictors of DN. After three-year period, kidney function declined in approximately 50% of patients with and without DN. Furthermore, the values of fasting glycemia and HbA1c were statistically higher in the groups with impaired kidney function compared to the ones with stable eGFR. The linear regression analysis revealed that, during three-year period, the change in eGFR was significantly associated with patient age, the duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, the difference in diastolic readings and proteinuria. The change in proteinuria was strongly associated with systolic blood pressure, the difference in diastolic readings, as well as with HbA1 and eGFR at the end of the study. Conclusion. In patients with type 2 diabetes, female sex and longer duration of diabetes were identified as significant risk factors for DN, while patient age, the duration of diabetes, elevated blood pressure and poor glucoregulation were identified as risk factors for kidney function decrease.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

Changes in body mass index and incidence of diabetes: A longitudinal study of Alberta's Tomorrow Project Cohort

Although obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes, the impact of body mass index (BMI) changes over time, especially BMI reduction, on diabetes development is less than clear. The objective of this study is to characterize the association between BMI changes over time and incidence of diabetes in a cohort of adults in Alberta.From 2000 to 2008, Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP) enrolled participants aged 35–69 to a population-based prospective cohort study. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight; change in BMI (∆BMI) was calculated as the difference between baseline and follow-up measurements. Diabetes cases were identified using the Canadian National Diabetes Surveillance System algorithm applied to linked administrative data (2000–2015). Multivariable Cox regression was used to examine the association between ∆BMI and incidence of diabetes.In a subset of the ATP cohort (n=19,164), 1168 incident cases of diabetes were identified during 198,853person-years of follow-up. Overall, BMI increase was associated with increased risk and BMI reduction was associated with reduced risk of diabetes. Particularly, compared to minimal BMI change (±5%), moderate (5%–10%) reduction in BMI was associated with 34% (95% CI: 12%–51%) reduction in risk of diabetes in participants with obesity; whereas 10% or greater increase in BMI was associated with an increased risk of diabetes of 64% or more in participants with overweight and obesity; in participants with normal and underweight, BMI changes was not apparently associated with risk of diabetes.Public health programs promoting weight loss, even at a moderate extent, would reduce risk of diabetes.

ACCESS TO ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE OUTCOMES IN A RURAL CANADIAN POPULATION

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in Canada. Compared to the urban population, rural inhabitants have been shown to experience increases in morbidity and mortality. This is important as approximately 1/5th of our total population reside in rural dwellings. The objective of this study was to examine access to routine medical care as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease outcomes in a rural population. In 2014, a cross-sectional mail survey of the households located in four quadrants of rural Saskatchewan was conducted. 2797 self-administered questionnaires were completed, representing 3894 individuals. A single informant from each household provided responses to questions related to access to routine medical care and distances travelled to obtain these services. Other correlates of interest included the location of the residence (farm or non-farm), marital status, and several cardiovascular comorbidities and conditions. Statistical analyses were performed using log binomial regression for the outcome of interest of combined cardiovascular disease (heart disease, heart attack, and stroke). Odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for potential modifiers of age, gender, and income. Combined CVD outcomes was observed in 12.5% of the sample population; mean age 60.1 years and 60.6% males. 95.1% of the households reported having access to a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner. Most households (90.9%) travelled 0 – 120km to routine medical care, whereas 3.6% and 5.5% of households travelled >120 – 200km, and >200km, respectively. Distance to routine medical care was not a significant predictor of combined CVD. However, 15.4% of households experienced difficulties in getting routine or on-going medical care in the past 12 months, which was an independent predictor of combined CVD (1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00 – 1.79); p=0.05). Known risk factors of diabetes (1.44, 95% CI 1.08 – 1.91), high cholesterol (2.56, 95% CI 2.06 – 3.20), high blood pressure (1.83, 1.43 – 2.33), kidney disease (2.98, 95% CI 1.67 – 5.32), and sleep apnea (1.92, 95% CI 1.40 – 2.62) were all significantly associated with increased CVD; p < 0.05. However, self-reported smoking status and derived BMI were not significantly associated. In addition to traditional risk factors, perceived difficulties of getting access to routine medical care may also incrementally increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Future endeavours aimed at reducing barriers to regular family practitioners may help to improve the overall health status of the rural Canadian population.

Phase 2 study of frontline brentuximab vedotin monotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma patients aged 60 years and older

AbstractOutcomes in older patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) tend to be poor following conventional chemotherapy regimens. Treatment-related toxicity is significant and comorbidities often limit therapeutic options. This phase 2, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, as frontline therapy in 27 HL patients aged ≥60 years. The objective response rate (ORR) was 92%, with 73% achieving complete remission. All patients achieved stable disease or better, and had decreased tumor volume following treatment. At the time of this analysis, the median duration of objective response for efficacy-evaluable patients (N = 26) was 9.1 months (range, 2.8 to 20.9+ months), median progression-free survival was 10.5 months (range, 2.6+ to 22.3+ months), and median overall survival had not been reached (range, 4.6+ to 24.9+ months). The observed adverse events (AEs) were generally consistent with the known safety profile of brentuximab vedotin. The most common AEs were peripheral sensory neuropathy (78%), fatigue (44%), and nausea (44%), and were ≤ grade 2 for most patients. The incidence of grade 3 peripheral neuropathy events was relatively high (30% overall), particularly among patients with the known risk factors of diabetes and/or hypothyroidism (46% vs 14% for those without). However, these risk factors were not associated with delayed time to resolution/improvement of peripheral neuropathy. Preliminary data showed no substantial age-related changes in brentuximab vedotin pharmacokinetics. Brentuximab vedotin monotherapy may provide a frontline treatment option for older patients who cannot tolerate conventional combination chemotherapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01716806.

Change in HbA1c levels between the age of 8 years and the age of 12 years in Dutch children without diabetes: the PIAMA birth cohort study.

ObjectiveHbA1c is associated with cardiovascular risk in persons without diabetes and cardiovascular risk accumulates over the life course. Therefore, insight in factors determining HbA1c from childhood onwards is important. We investigated (lifestyle) determinants of HbA1c at age 12 years and the effects of growth on change in HbA1c and the tracking of HbA1c between the age of 8 and 12 years.Study Design and MethodsAnthropometric measurements were taken and HbA1c levels were assessed in 955 children without diabetes aged around 12 years participating in the PIAMA birth cohort study. In 363 of these children HbA1c was also measured at age 8 years. Data on parents and children were collected prospectively by questionnaires.ResultsWe found no significant association between known risk factors for diabetes and HbA1c at age 12 years. Mean(SD) change in HbA1c between ages 8 and 12 years was 0.6(0.7) mmol/mol per year (or 0.1(0.1) %/yr). Anthropometric measures at age 8 and their change between age 8 and 12 years were not associated with the change in HbA1c. 68.9% of the children remained in the same quintile or had an HbA1c one quintile higher or lower at age 8 years compared to age 12 years.ConclusionThe lack of association between known risk factors for diabetes and HbA1c suggest that HbA1c in children without diabetes is relatively unaffected by factors associated with glycaemia. HbA1c at age 8 years is by far the most important predictor of HbA1c at age 12. Therefore, the ranking of HbA1c levels appear to be fairly stable over time.

Dietary acid load and risk of type 2 diabetes: the E3N-EPIC cohort study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prospective relationship between dietary acid load, assessed with both the potential renal acid load (PRAL) and the net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores, and type 2 diabetes risk. A total of 66,485 women from the E3N-EPIC cohort were followed for incident diabetes over 14 years. PRAL and NEAP scores were derived from nutrient intakes. HRs for type 2 diabetes risk across quartiles of the baseline PRAL and NEAP scores were estimated with multivariate Cox regression models. During follow-up, 1,372 cases of incident type 2 diabetes were validated. In the overall population, the highest PRAL quartile, reflecting a greater acid-forming potential, was associated with a significant increase in type 2 diabetes risk, compared with the first quartile (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.29, 1.90). The association was stronger among women with BMI <25 kg/m2 (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.43, 2.69) than in overweight women (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.00, 1.64); statistically significant trends in risk across quartiles were observed in both groups (p trend < 0.0001 and p trend = 0.03, respectively). The NEAP score provided similar findings. We have demonstrated for the first time in a large prospective study that dietary acid load was positively associated with type 2 diabetes risk, independently of other known risk factors for diabetes. Our results need to be validated in other populations, and may lead to promotion of diets with a low acid load for the prevention of diabetes. Further research is required on the underlying mechanisms.

Ratio of trunk to leg volume as a new body shape metric for diabetes and mortality.

BackgroundBody shape is a known risk factor for diabetes and mortality, but the methods estimating body shape, BMI and waist circumference are crude. We determined whether a novel body shape measure, trunk to leg volume ratio, was independently associated with diabetes and mortality.MethodsData from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 1999–2004, a study representative of the US population, were used to generate dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived trunk to leg volume ratio and determine its associations to diabetes, metabolic covariates, and mortality by BMI category, gender, and race/ethnicity group.ResultsThe prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes increased with age, BMI, triglycerides, blood pressure, and decreased HDL level. After adjusting for covariates, the corresponding fourth to first quartile trunk to leg volume ratio odds ratios (OR) were 6.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9–9.6) for diabetes, 3.9 (95% CI, 3.0–5.2) for high triglycerides, 1.8 (95% CI, 1.6–2.1) for high blood pressure, 3.0 (95% CI, 2.4–3.8) for low HDL, 3.6 (95% CI, 2.8–4.7) for metabolic syndrome, and 1.76 (95% CI, 1.20–2.60) for mortality. Additionally, trunk to leg volume ratio was the strongest independent measure associated with diabetes (P<0.001), even after adjusting for BMI and waist circumference. Even among those with normal BMI, those in the highest quartile of trunk to leg volume ratio had a higher likelihood of death (5.5%) than those in the lowest quartile (0.2%). Overall, trunk to leg volume ratio is driven by competing mechanisms of changing adiposity and lean mass.ConclusionsA high ratio of trunk to leg volume showed a strong association to diabetes and mortality that was independent of total and regional fat distributions. This novel body shape measure provides additional information regarding central adiposity and appendicular wasting to better stratify individuals at risk for diabetes and mortality, even among those with normal BMI.

Association of hepatitis C with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in US general population: the impact of the epidemic of obesity

Studies from tertiary care medical centres have linked hepatitis C virus (HCV) to the development of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between HCV positivity and insulin resistance/diabetes in the US population. Three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1988 and 2008 were used. HCV infection was diagnosed using a positive serologic anti-HCV test. Additionally, diabetes was diagnosed as fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL and/or the use of hypoglycaemic medications. Insulin resistance was defined as a homeostasis of model assessment (HOMA) score of >3.0. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of each of the potential risk factors for diabetes mellitus (DM). The SUDAAN 10.0 was used to run descriptive and regression analyses. A total of 39 506 individuals from three NHANES cycles (1988-1994, 1999-2004 and 2005-2008) with complete demographic and relevant clinical data were included. Over these three NHANES cycles, prevalence of hepatitis C did not significantly change. During the first NHANES cycle (1988-1994), insulin and diabetes were independently associated with hepatitis C. However, during the later study cycles (1998-2008), these associations were no longer significant. In contrast, other important known risk factors for diabetes and IR (male gender, non-Caucasian race, age and obesity) remained significant over all three NHANES cycles. Although HCV infection was independently associated with an increased risk of diabetes and IR in the US population over a decade ago, assessment of the later NHANES cycles shows that this relationship may have become diluted by the rapid rise of other risks for diabetes, specifically, the prevalence of obesity.

Diabetes mellitus defined by hemoglobin A1c value: Risk characterization for incidence among Japanese subjects in the JPHC Diabetes Study.

Aims/Introduction: Although several risk factors for type 2 diabetes have been identified, most of them have been identified in studies on Western populations, and they should be evaluated in a Japanese population. In 2010, new diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus using hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were released and its use in epidemiological studies has many advantages. The aim of the present study was to evaluate risk factors for type 2 diabetes defined based on HbA1c values in a Japanese population. A total of 9223 subjects (3076 men and 6147 women) were followed up for 5 years. Diabetes was defined based on self-report or HbA1c value. Risk factors for diabetes were evaluated as odds ratios adjusted for potential confounding factors by logistic regression. During the 5-year follow-up period, we documented 518 incident cases of diabetes (232 men and 286 women). Of the 518 incident cases, 310 cases were diagnosed by HbA1c alone. Among the men, age, smoking (both past smoking and current smoking) and family history of diabetes significantly increased the risk of diabetes. Among the women, body mass index, family history of diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of diabetes. These results did not change markedly after adjustment for the baseline HbA1c values, and the baseline HbA1c value itself was a significant risk factor for diabetes mellitus. Known risk factors for diabetes established in Western populations also increased the risk of diabetes in a Japanese population defined on the basis of HbA1c values. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2011.00119.x, 2011).

Biomarkers in Fasting Serum to Estimate Glucose Tolerance, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion

Biomarkers for estimating reduced glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or impaired insulin secretion would be clinically useful, since these physiologic measures are important in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 94 individuals, of whom 84 had 1 or more risk factors and 10 had no known risk factors for diabetes, underwent oral glucose tolerance testing. We measured 34 protein biomarkers associated with diabetes risk in 250-μL fasting serum samples. We applied multiple regression selection techniques to identify the most informative biomarkers and develop multivariate models to estimate glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. The ability of the glucose tolerance model to discriminate between diabetic individuals and those with impaired or normal glucose tolerance was evaluated by area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis. Of the at-risk participants, 25 (30%) were found to have impaired glucose tolerance, and 11 (13%) diabetes. Using molecular counting technology, we assessed multiple biomarkers with high accuracy in small volume samples. Multivariate biomarker models derived from fasting samples correlated strongly with 2-h postload glucose tolerance (R(2) = 0.45, P < 0.0001), composite insulin sensitivity index (R(2) = 0.91, P < 0.0001), and insulin secretion (R(2) = 0.45, P < 0.0001). Additionally, the glucose tolerance model provided strong discrimination between diabetes vs impaired or normal glucose tolerance (AUC 0.89) and between diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance vs normal tolerance (AUC 0.78). Biomarkers in fasting blood samples may be useful in estimating glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion.

TRAQ-D (Trinidad Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus): a cheap, reliable, non-invasive screening tool for diabetes

The objective of this study was to design a reliable, valid and culturally appropriate risk questionnaire and determine its effectiveness as a tool for the early detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Trinidad. Initially, a questionnaire with 21 close-ended questions on known risk factors for diabetes was administered to 456 patients, and a series of logistic regressions extracted the most significant factors (p&lt;0.05). These factors were scored using their odds ratio and a tool/questionnaire was created and administered to 232 patients. The scoring system was revised following logistic regressions using combined data from both phases and a cut-off score determined with suitable specificity/sensitivity ratios. Trinidad Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Diabetes (TRAQ-D) was compared to body mass index (BMI) and age independently, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. TRAQ-D, includes seven factors: age, sex, BMI, family history of diabetes, ethnicity, smoking and waist circumference. A score ≥ 17 was used to recommend further testing (specificity: 90.7%, sensitivity: 61.4%). Compared with BMI and age, the area under the ROC curve for TRAQ-D was significantly higher (0.884). TRAQ-D is the only currently available non-invasive screening tool for type 2 diabetes that has been created and tested in the Trinidad population. It is reliable, inexpensive and a useful indicator of the need for any further screening tests.

Using ZIP Code and GIS Studies to Assess Disease Risk

In several recent articles in EHP, investigators have attempted to link proximity to hazardous waste sites, as measured by geographic information systems (GIS) or ZIP codes, with increased incidences of various diseases. An implicit assumption in these studies is that proximity is a surrogate for exposure. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that the presence of chemicals in an individual’s environment does not necessarily translate into a dose. For example, Stehr-Green et al. (1988) found that