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Phenotypic and genetic clustering of diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Chinese families with type 2 diabetes mellitus

  1. J. K. Y. Li*,
  2. M. C. Y. Ng,
  3. W. Y. So,
  4. C. K. P. Chiu,
  5. R. Ozaki,
  6. P. C. Y. Tong,
  7. C. S. Cockram,
  8. J. C. N. Chan

Article first published online: 15 JUL 2005

DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.577

Issue

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews

Volume 22, Issue 1, pages 46–52, January/February 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Li, J. K. Y., Ng, M. C. Y., So, W. Y., Chiu, C. K. P., Ozaki, R., Tong, P. C. Y., Cockram, C. S. and Chan, J. C. N. (2006), Phenotypic and genetic clustering of diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Chinese families with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab. Res. Rev., 22: 46–52. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.577

Author Information

  1. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China

*Department of Medicine, Yan Chai Hospital, 7-11 Yan Chai Street, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 DEC 2005
  2. Article first published online: 15 JUL 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 24 MAY 2005
  4. Manuscript Revised: 21 MAR 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 28 NOV 2004

Funded by

  • Research Grant Committee of Hong Kong Government
  • Strategic Research Program of Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Armedic Servier Ltd

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Keywords:

  • phenotypes;
  • genetics;
  • type 2 diabetes;
  • metabolic syndrome;
  • Chinese

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the familiality and clustering of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MES) predominantly in families with young-onset diabetes from the Hong Kong Family Diabetes Study.

Methods

One hundred and seventy-nine families (913 subjects) were ascertained through a diabetic proband. Anthropometry, glucose homeostasis, blood pressure and lipid levels were examined. Familial aggregation and inter-relationships of these traits were examined by recurrence risk ratio, heritability, genetic and environmental correlations.

Results

One hundred and forty families (78%) had at least one subject with early-onset T2DM (age-at-diagnosis ≤40 years). MES was highly prevalent in probands (53%) and siblings (25%). Recurrence risk ratios in siblings were high for T2DM (4.3), hypertension (2.9) and central obesity (2.0). Body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma insulin, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol levels, insulin resistance and beta-cell function had high estimates of heritability (0.45–0.63). Bivariate quantitative analyses revealed differential contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the phenotypic correlation between metabolic trait pairs. Obesity indices showed the strongest phenotypic correlation with other traits, and were significantly influenced by genetic factors (genetic correlation = 0.29–0.60).

Conclusion

There was significant familial aggregation of T2DM and related phenotypes including obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. The clustering of metabolic traits is likely due to genetic effects, interacting with shared and unique lifestyle/environmental factors. The high familiality suggests that screening for MES is important, especially in families with young-onset diabetes, and that the families in HKFDS are valuable subjects for genetic studies of these metabolic diseases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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