Diabetes Risk Assessment Profile Test

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes the blood sugar levels to increase beyond the reference range. Usually the fasting and post lunch levels are measured for diagnosis. Very often, by the time symptoms of diabetes occur, it is too late to diagnose and begin treatment as the damage has already started. Many of these patients have a family history or predisposing factors which may lead to diabetes mellitus. These patients can be diagnosed or treated early if risk assessment is already done prior.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when the level of blood sugar in the body increase beyond the reference range. This can lead to a variety of symptoms like excess urination, increased hunger, and a fruity smell of urine.

There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 or diabetes insipidus and Type 2 or diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder caused by the immune system attacking the pancreas, thus affecting the gland's ability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes however is due to the patient's lifestyle, making it both preventable and reversible with proper management. However, by the time patients seek a diagnosis, the damage has already begun. Patients can be diagnosed or treated early if they have a risk assessment done early. The risk test is a blood test that measures glycated haemoglobin levels, fasting blood by fasting insulin ratio (HOMA index) and adiponectin levels in the blood.

Why is a Diabetes Risk Assessment Profile Done?

The test is done to assess patients who are at risk of developing diabetes due to certain predisposing factors. These include:

1. Family history of diabetes in first-degree relatives:
   It is always better to get a risk assessment done especially if immediate family members have been diagnosed with diabetes previously.
2. Genetics:
   Certain genetic factors like insulin antibodies and insulin resistance contribute to insulin resistance in an individual. Insulin resistance refers to the inability of the body to react to the effects of the insulin hormone.
3. Obesity:
   Bodies with BMI > 25 are considered morbidly obese, which increases the risk of insulin resistance and hence diabetes.

The diabetes risk assessment profile is suggested for people who have:

• Family history of diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Morbid obesity
• Excess thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Frequent mood swings
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Blurry vision
• Increased fatigued
• Yeast infections
• Slow healing of wounds

Written by: Dr.Shibani R, Medical Writer, Medical Affairs