The answer to this question depends on who you ask. People with Type 1 diabetes most likely share the HLA-DR3 gene, which puts them at risk for the condition.
Research conducted on other ethnic groups shows similar results, although it is not nearly as well studied. The HLA-DR7 gene could increase the risk of diabetes among African Americans and Japanese people. Current research is aimed at understanding the exact chances of diabetes in a child.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreatic insulin-producing cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system. In order to stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin into their bodies to prevent their blood sugar levels from reaching dangerous levels.
Type 1 diabetes requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and a balance between exercise and food intake.
While it does not cause life-threatening complications, long-term complications can include damage to vital organs such as the heart and kidneys, nerve damage, and blindness. In children, type 1 diabetes accounts for about five to ten percent of all diagnosed diabetes cases.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. It occurs in varying degrees, but is often related to genetics. People who have a higher level of insulin resistance will have a harder time controlling their diabetes.
This is due to the fact that insulin has to work much harder to reach target blood glucose levels. People with this condition may also experience symptoms that are similar to those of people with type 1 diabetes, such as blurry vision, increased thirst, or high blood pressure.
Stress is a contributing factor to diabetes
There is evidence to suggest that stress is a significant contributor to the development of diabetes. A study by Smith and his colleagues found that women with diabetes experience a variety of stressors, including the stress caused by work and family life, and worries about the future.
Many participants viewed their stressors as part of the disease, and minor hassles were often regarded as an inevitable part of life with diabetes.
Furthermore, their work and family lives were given priority over their diabetes management.
Genetic predisposition
The notion of genetic predisposition to diabetes is not new. It is an important aspect of diabetes research. The study examined a group of Danish twins and found that the genetic factor increased the risk of developing the disease.
However, family history had a greater influence on cognitive precursors than genetic information.
These results suggest that a person’s genetics may not be the sole factor in determining a person’s risk of developing diabetes.
Genetic risk alleles
Researchers analyzed the DNA profiles of thousands of individuals to discover new genes that influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They are now a step closer to developing genetic risk scores for diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease where the body does not produce enough insulin or uses it efficiently, resulting in high and low blood sugar levels.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 37 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and ninety-five percent of those affected are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Race and ethnicity
There is a significant disparity in the incidence and severity of diabetes among African American and Hispanic adults. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, examined data on diabetes rates, prevalence, and mortality by race and ethnicity.
Interestingly, the study showed that Mexican Americans were diagnosed with diabetes at a younger age than their non-Hispanic counterparts.
Researchers also found that African American patients were more likely to have diabetes before age 40 compared to non-Hispanic whites and Asians.
Genetic mutations
Some studies have linked genetic mutations in the INS and the KCNJ11 genes to the onset of diabetes in infancy. Despite the association, the genetic evidence for this association is still limited.
Researchers excluded mutations that are benign in functional assays and those that occur at high frequency in controls. Currently, the only effective treatment for patients with INS mutations is surgery.
The research is ongoing and will provide additional insight into the role of genetics in the onset of diabetes.