RISK PANEL FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by high concentrations of glucose (sugar) in the blood, also known as hyperglycaemia.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of illness and premature death in most countries, and its increasing prevalence is one of the main public health challenges we face today. The effect of type 2 diabetes includes long-term vascular damage, dysfunction, and lesions in various organs, particularly the eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves and brain.

80-90% of diabetic cases are type 2. The number of people with this disease has been increasing globally at an accelerated rate, with over 400 million people affected around the world.

According to the most complete population study ever conducted in Spain , called di@bet.es, 13.8% of Spaniards over the age of 18 have type 2 diabetes, which is more than 5.3 million Spaniards. Of those, almost 3 million have been diagnosed, while 2.3 million, or 43%, do not know that they have the disease.

25,000 people in Spain die every year because of this disease.

The main causes of type 2 diabetes are genetic and environmental factors (changes in diet and physical activity).
It is known that type 2 diabetes is more common in people with a family history of the disease.

Many genes have been found to play a part in its development, meaning that people with mutations in these genes have a higher chance of having type 2 diabetes in the presence of certain environmental factors, including a sedentary lifestyle or poor diet. 80% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese or overweight (BMI ≥25).

The genetic predisposition to developing type 2 diabetes can be determined at any stage of life, which means it can be tested for in children and adolescents just as in adults.
This study is for anyone with:

• Obesity.
• A family history of type 2 diabetes. 
• Pregnant women with gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies or whose children were born weighing more than 4 kg.
• Arterial hypertension.
• People with one or more conditions relating to insulin resistance (hypertension, cholesterol or triglycerides).
• History of altered blood glucose concentrations.

Type 2 diabetes is practically asymptomatic during the initial stages. This means that its diagnosis is often delayed, sometimes by years, and it is estimated that up to 50% of people with type 2 diabetes are not diagnosed during the early stages. This leads to deterioration of vital organs like the kidneys, the eyes, the heart and the nervous system.

It is vital to not let it get to this point.  90% of all diabetes cases are type 2, and type 2 diabetes can be avoided with a proper prevention plan once the risk is determined by genetic testing.

Even in situations of prediabetes, determining the genetic risk for developing the disease is fundamental to confirm the intensity of the preventive measures to implement for the person at risk and to reverse the situation.

A significant proportion of people with this type of diabetes are also obese to varying degrees, making weight loss the primary goal in these cases.

It is a highly sensitive and specific genetic study that includes the simultaneous analysis of 16 genetic variants of significant value in predicting an individual’s predisposition to developing type 2 diabetes. The final result also takes into consideration any family history of type 2 diabetes and the anthropometric data of the patient.

After taking a simple blood test, you will receive the results in just 15 days.

To undergo the test, call 902 121 054 or email genetica@e-icm.net and we will tell you how to proceed and direct you to your nearest laboratory.

To undergo the genetic study, you must first complete the application form and sign the informed consent form.

ICM boasts a team of genetic counsellors to support you and answer any questions.

You can count on them. They are there to help. Please email our team at pacientes@e-icm.net.

You could also attend a consultation with one of the geneticists of our group.