Understanding the Importance of Gene and Environment in the Etiology and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in High-Risk Populations

Abstract

Current literature focuses on the complications and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) while clustering environmental and genetic factors to explain the disease. Interventions proposed to reduce diabetes prevalence should focus predominantly on initiating active rapports of family members and promoting a more communicationoriented preventative approach between diabetics and non-diabetics. Due to varying risks in T2DM by race and ethnicity, these populations should follow race-appropriate guidelines to prevent further T2DM occurrence and complications. The review consists of information related to the genetic component of T2DM to help identify high-risk groups and focuses on the environmental aspect of the disease to help consider appropriate techniques to reduce disease burden. Genetic factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetes and thus are an essential element of understanding the cause of the disease and possible methods of prevention. Focusing on high-risk groups with T2DM could have profound effects on the current health care situation. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of diabetes in the United States and propose methods of preventing and delaying the development of T2DM in high-risk individuals.

Inverse relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus and migraine. Data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Surveys 1995–1997 and 2006–2008

“…This had a response rate of 74% in HUNT2 and 53% in HUNT3 (24). At follow-up, participants were interviewed by nurses to confirm their age at diagnosis and details on the time-point of beginning different types of diabetes treatment (16). They provided a fasting blood sample for measurements of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum C-peptide levels, and antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) (27).…”

“…On the other hand, a positive association with migraine was found for non-insulin dependent DM (14). Many studies have investigated risk factors and consequences of type 1 DM and type 2 DM (15,16), but very few previous studies have evaluated the relationship between migraine and specific DM subtypes. Two studies found no association between type 2 DM and migraine (17,18).…”

Hepatic gene expression variations in response to high-fat diet-induced impaired glucose tolerance using RNAseq analysis in collaborative cross mouse population

“…One of the most noticeable components of T2D is the significant variations in disease pathogenesis between ethnicities, which is attributed to complex genetic components and environmental factors (Samsom et al 2016). Despite the fact that environmental factors of sedentary lifestyle, overconsumption of fat/carbohydrate enriched diets, socioeconomic status, and air pollution increase the risk for T2D, it is evident that the genetic background plays a critical role in determining the host response towards these environmental conditions (susceptibility versus resistance).…”

UCP2 and UCP3 variants and gene-environment interaction associated with prediabetes and T2DM in a rural population: a case control study in China

“…A recent study found that 11.6% of Chinese adults had diabetes and 50.1% had prediabetes, a precursor to T2DM [ 1 ]. T2DM is resulted from both genetic and environmental factors [ 2 ].…”