Genetic screening provides only a slightly better prediction of diabetes risk than knowledge of common diabetes risk factors alone, according to a new study published in the November 20, 2008 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and their colleagues identified 18 gene locations that are associated with the risk of diabetes. Then, they created a genetic risk score and studied 2377 participants to determine whether this genetic risk score allowed better prediction of diabetes risk than knowledge of common risk factors. During 28 years of follow-up, 255 of the participants developed diabetes. Although these participants had a slightly higher average genetic risk score than those participants who did not develop diabetes, the genetic risk score only modestly improved prediction of diabetes development.

The findings of this study highlight the continuing importance of common diabetes risk factors, such as obesity, a family history of diabetes, and high blood pressure, in predicting the development of this chronic disease.