A recent study conducted by Edith Cowan University (ECU) has uncovered a potential breakthrough in the realm of diabetes risk assessment. The research suggests that a simple blood test could be utilized to gauge a patient’s susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Currently, the primary inflammatory biomarker employed for predicting the risk of type 2 diabetes is high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). However, new findings propose that evaluating a combination of biomarkers, rather than individually, could enhance the accuracy of predicting diabetes risk and associated complications.
The study, led by ECU researcher Dan Wu, delved into the correlation between systematic inflammation – as indicated by the joint cumulative levels of high-sensitivity CRP and another biomarker known as monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) – and the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Tracking over 40,800 non-diabetic participants for nearly a decade, the study observed that more than 4,800 individuals developed diabetes during this timeframe. Wu noted a significant interaction between MHR and CRP among the patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Elevations in MHR within each CRP category amplified the risk of type 2 diabetes; simultaneous increases in both MHR and CRP significantly heightened the incidence rates and risks of diabetes.
Moreover, the study discovered that the link between chronic inflammation (evidenced by the joint cumulative MHR and CRP exposure) and the development of diabetes was profoundly influenced by age, gender, and factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, or prediabetes. Incorporating MHR and CRP into the clinical risk assessment model notably improved the accuracy of predicting diabetes onset.
The research highlighted that females faced a higher risk of type 2 diabetes from combined increases in CRP and MHR, possibly due to the influence of sex hormones, as per Wu.
The study findings reinforced the role of chronic inflammation in early-onset diabetes and emphasized the need for targeted interventions. Wu suggested leveraging the age-specific link between chronic inflammation and type 2 diabetes to identify at-risk young adults early on could prove beneficial in personalized intervention strategies.
Considering the rise in early-onset diabetes globally, understanding the association between chronic inflammation and diabetes could aid in proactive identification and tailored interventions. Wu emphasized the urgency in addressing this pressing health concern, given the progressive nature of diabetes and the associated comorbidities.
While factors like aging and genetics are beyond control, lifestyle modifications can alter other risk factors. Inflammation is intricately linked to lifestyle choices and metabolic conditions, suggesting the value of monitoring related metabolic indicators for diabetes risk management.
Wu highlighted the cost-effectiveness and widespread availability of cumulative MHR and CRP tests in clinical settings, making them a convenient and promising tool for predicting diabetes risk effectively.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it