Evaluation of a DNA-based screening method for people at high risk of developing diabetes in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Abstract Aim: This paper seeks to evaluate the significance of screening measures such as DNA tests in patients at risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Methods:Patients at of high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) for developing diabetes mellitus (DM) according to risk factors established by the American Diabetes Association were divided into two groups, HR and LR. Both groups underwent nutrigenetic (PPARG, SLC2A2, TCF7L2, FTO genes), HOMA-IR score, and medical history screening. 26 patients were in the HR group and 38 were in the LR group. Results:The mean age of participants in HR group was 47 (± 8.37) and 43 years (± 10.57) in the LR group, 69% of participants were male and 53% were female, respectively. In both groups, the mean of body mass index (BMI) was 27.3 (± 3.86) kg/m2. The PPARG, SLC2A2, TCF7L2, FTO genes showed some variation between HR and LR groups, but none reached statistical significance. Conclusion:High risk individuals had an increased DM risk up to 3.7 times based on genetic variants of TCF7L2. Participants with genetic changes had up to 2.7 times higher than average risk for developing insulin resistance, but no statistical significance was obtained.