Effect of parental history of diabetes on markers of inflammation, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in first degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM AND
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of parental history of diabetes on markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, adiposity indices and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) in first degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal glucose tolerant (NGT) first degree relatives of T2DM patients of age group 20-40 years designated as FHpositive were enrolled in the cross sectional study. Depending on the parental history of diabetes they were divided into three groups: family history positive in father (FHfather), family history positive in mother (FHmother) and family history positive in both (FHboth). Age, sex and BMI matched controls without any history of diabetes in their parents designated as FHnegative were taken for comparison. All subjects underwent detailed clinical evaluation and biochemical investigations. cIMT and adiposity indices like visceral adipose tissue thickness (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SAT) were assessed using ultrasonography.
RESULTS: No difference existed with regards to BMI, hsCRP, degree of insulin resistance, adiposity markers and cIMT between FHmother and FHfather group. Subjects in FHboth group had significantly higher degree of insulin resistance, subclinical inflammation, increased atherosclerosis and adiposity indices in contrast to those who have a single parent T2DM family history.
CONCLUSIONS: hsCRP and cIMT are significantly higher in the first degree relatives of type2 diabetes mellitus patients than controls. Individuals with history of T2DM in both parents have significantly worse glycemic status, increased cIMT and adverse cardiovascular risk profile than those with T2DM history in only single parent.