A study conducted by researchers from University of the Philippines Manila – National Institutes of Health found that Filipinos with Type 2 diabetes have nine common genetic variants among them.
Published in PLOS ONE, an open-access peer-reviewed scientific journal, the study was authored by Eva Maria Cutiongco-dela Paz, Jose Nevado Jr., Elizabeth Paz-Pacheco, Gabriel Jasul Jr., Aimee Yvonne Aman, and Mark David Francisco.
The results of the study suggest that the nine genetic variants are associated with Type 2 diabetes. This can help identify at-risk Filipinos and encourage them to adjust their diet and lifestyle in order to prevent diabetes, which remains a public health concern.
“For most people, motivation for behavioral modification can be increased substantially if they are informed of their risk beforehand. An assessment that can identify susceptible individuals even before the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus is critical,” the researchers said in a press release.
According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes mellitus affects how the body processes blood sugar or glucose. A high blood sugar can lead to serious health issues and complications, such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and kidney damage.
In 2023, the Diabetes Atlas said that the prevalence of the condition in the Philippines is 7.1%, with 30,713 deaths linked to it.
The UP Manila study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and conducted over four years. It studied 201 unrelated patients from the Philippine General hospital, government hospitals, local health centers, and private clinics within and outside Metro Manila.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
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