Diabetes and Family History Among Adult Participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Objective:To examine the relationship between family history of diabetes and the prevalence of self-reported, previously diagnosed diabetes among adult participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods:NHANES is a national population-based survey that obtains information from U.S. households via in-home interviews and physical examinations. Data from 10283 participants was analyzed to determine prevalence of diabetes based on family history.

Results:The prevalence of diabetes among individuals who had a first-degree relative with diabetes was estimated to be 14.3%, compared to 3.2% among individuals who did not have a first-degree relative with diabetes. Prevalence of diabetes increased with level of parental history, from 4.2% among individuals with neither parent being diabetic, 12.3% among individuals having one diabetic parent, and 25.4% among individuals with both parents diabetic. Individuals with diabetes who had close relatives with diabetes were found to have a mean age of diagnosis six years younger than diabetics without a family history.

Conclusion:Family history of diabetes is a significant predictor in diabetes prevalence in the adult U.S. population. The utilization of a family history assessment is crucial for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of diabetes.