Risk factors for Diabetes Mellitus and Recommendations

Mostly the risk for diabetes increases with the increasing age. So it is recommended that every three years, blood glucose and HbA1c should be done after 45 years.

Diabetes mellitus pathogenesis

American Diabetes Association recommends frequent testing for young people who have a high-risk family.

Risk factors for diabetes are:

1. The people who are >20% overweight.
2. With a strong family history of diabetes.
3. With the presence of high blood pressure.
4. With a history of high cholesterol.
5. In the case of history of gestational diabetes mellitus.
6. If a lady giving birth to a baby with >9 pounds weight.
7. In the case of abnormal glucose tolerance.
   1. Fasting glucose level is between 110 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, on two or more occasions.
   2. Oral glucose tolerance test shows the 2 hours glucose between 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL.
   3. In the case of abnormal glucose tolerance, the risk is 1% to 10%  developing Diabetes mellitus each year.
   4. The more inactive you are, and the more overweight you are, the more chances to develop diabetes mellitus in abnormal glucose tolerance.
   5. Abnormal glucose tolerance is the warning sign and you can prevent developing diabetes by:
      1. Modification of the lifestyle.
      2. Diet control.
      3. Do routine exercise.
      4. Can start metformin
8. In females with polycystic ovary syndrome.
9. In females with abnormal hormones disorders marked by insulin resistance.
10. There is increased risk in African Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic-America.

 Recommendations for diabetes for increased risk group:

1. The American Diabetes Association recommends checking the blood glucose every 2 years after the age of 10 years.
2. Frequent checking in overweight children and particularly if they have some other additional issues as well.