Brief Article
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World J Diabetes. Apr 15, 2013; 4(2): 40-46
Published online Apr 15, 2013. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v4.i2.40
Parental transmission of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a highly endogamous population
Abdulbari Bener, Mohammad T Yousafzai, Abdulla OAA Al-Hamaq, Abdul-Ghani Mohammad, Ralph A DeFronzo
Abdulbari Bener, Mohammad T Yousafzai, Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
Abdulbari Bener, Department of Evidence for Population Health Unit, School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PP, United Kingdom
Abdulla OAA Al-Hamaq, Qatar Diabetic Association and Qatar Foundation, Doha 3050, Qatar
Abdul-Ghani Mohammad, Ralph A DeFronzo, Division of Diabetes, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
Author contributions: Bener A designed this study and the data collection instrument and took care of the data analysis and preparation of the manuscript; Yousafzai MT, Al-Hamaq AOAA, Mohammad AG and DeFronzo RA were involved in the study design and data collection.
Supported by Qatar Diabetic Association and Qatar National Research Fund, QNRF UREP 07-099-3-023
Correspondence to: Abdulbari Bener, Professor, Advisor to WHO, Consultant and Head, Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha 3050, Qatar. abener@hmc.org.qa
Telephone: +974-44393765 Fax: +974-44393769
Received: December 5, 2012
Revised: March 6, 2013
Accepted: March 15, 2013
Published online: April 15, 2013
Processing time: 131 Days and 6.5 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To determine the parental transmission of diabetes mellitus (DM) and evaluate its influence on the clinical characteristics.

METHODS: This was a cross sectional study. The survey was carried out in urban and semi-urban primary health care centers. Of the 2400 registered with diagnosed diabetes, 1980 agreed and gave their consent to take part in this study, thus giving a response rate of 82.5%. Face to face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire followed by laboratory tests. DM was defined according to the World Health Organization expert group. A trained nurse performed physical examinations and measurements.

RESULTS: Of the study population, 72.9% reported a family history of DM. Family history of DM was significantly higher in females (54.2%; P = 0.04) and in the age group below 30 years (24%; P < 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes was higher among patients with a diabetic mother (25.4% vs 22.1%) and maternal aunts/uncles (31.2% vs 22.2%) compared to patients with a diabetic father and paternal aunts/uncles. Family history of DM was higher in patients of consanguineous parents (38.5%) than those of non-consanguineous parents (30.2%). The development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complications was higher in patients with either a paternal or maternal history of DM than in those without. No significant difference was observed in the metabolic characteristics of patients with/without family history of DM except for hypertension. Complications were higher in diabetic patients with a family history of DM.

CONCLUSION: The present study found a significant maternal effect in transmission of T2DM. Family history is associated with the increased incidence of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Family history; Parental transmission; Genetic disorders; Consanguinity; Maternal transmission

Core tip: Diabetes is a disease that has a strong clustering in families and has a genetic component. Family history is a well-known risk factor for developing of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study found a significant maternal effect in transmission of T2DM. Family history is associated with the increased incidence of diabetes.