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The Genetic Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes: Opportunities for Health Translation

  • Diabetes Epidemiology (E Selvin and K Foti, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Diabetes Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Genome-wide association studies have delineated the genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes. While functional studies to identify target transcripts are ongoing, new genetic knowledge can be translated directly to health applications. The review covers several translation directions but focuses on genomic polygenic scores for screening and prevention.

Recent Findings

Over 400 genomic variants associated with T2D and its related quantitative traits are now known. Genetic scores comprising dozens to millions of associated variants can predict incident T2D. However, measurement of body mass index is more efficient than genetic scores to detect T2D risk groups, and knowledge of T2D genetic risk alone seems insufficient to improve health. Genetically determined metabolic sub-phenotypes can be identified by clustering variants associated with physiological axes like insulin resistance. Genetic sub-phenotyping may be a way forward to identify specific individual phenotypes for prevention and treatment.

Summary

Genomic polygenic scores for T2D can predict incident diabetes but may not be useful to improve health overall. Genetic detection of T2D sub-phenotypes could be useful to personalize screening and care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

    James B. Meigs

  2. Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 100 Cambridge St 16th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    James B. Meigs

  3. MGH Division of Clinical Research Clinical Effectiveness Research Unit, Boston, USA

    James B. Meigs

  4. Broad Institute, Cambridge, USA

    James B. Meigs

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Correspondence to James B. Meigs.

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James B. Meigs reports that he is an Academic Associate for Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

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Meigs, J.B. The Genetic Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes: Opportunities for Health Translation. Curr Diab Rep 19, 62 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-019-1173-y

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