A healthy lifestyle helps to prevent gestational diabetes in those at
highest genetic risk

Date:
May 4, 2022
Source:
University of Helsinki
Summary:
Researchers have developed a genetic-risk score for identifying
individuals who would benefit the most from lifestyle counseling
to prevent gestational and postpartum diabetes.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers have developed a genetic-risk score for identifying
individuals who would benefit the most from lifestyle counselling to
prevent gestational and postpartum diabetes.


========================================================================== Gestational diabetes is the most common health-related challenge during pregnancy. Today, it is diagnosed in every fifth expectant mother
in Finland.

Gestational diabetes has a significant impact on the health of both the
mother and the child, both during pregnancy and after delivery.

A study conducted at the University of Helsinki investigated the effects
of lifestyle intervention on the prevention of gestational diabetes in
women at high risk of developing gestational diabetes. In the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL), the study subjects
received intensified physical exercise and dietary counselling during
pregnancy and for the first year following delivery.

In this study, a polygenic risk score (PRS) describing the genetic risk
of diabetes was calculated using gene variants known to increase the risk
of type 2 diabetes. The risk score for type 2 diabetes was associated
with elevated glucose levels in mid- and late pregnancy as well as one
year after delivery.

"Gestational diabetes as well as prediabetes and diabetes one year
after delivery were also more common among those with higher scores,"
says Emilia Huvinen, specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Targeted measures produce better results The study discovered that
genetic risk also affected the link between lifestyle counselling and gestational diabetes as well as diabetes.

"Based on our research, intensified lifestyle interventions benefitted
only women at highest genetic risk of developing type 2 diabetes,"
Huvinen confirms.

According to her, the results are significant and even globally unique.

"Our study offers one possible explanation for the contradictory results
of previous studies investigating the prevention of gestational diabetes
till now ," Huvinen explains.

According to the researchers, genetic-risk scoring would make it possible
to identify the expectant mothers most at risk as well as to direct
resources and the most effective preventive measures specifically at
them. This would be of great importance in terms of both limited societal resources and the health of these mothers and their children.

"At the same time, it's important to realise that, in the case of
diabetes, our genetic background does not determine our future. With
the help of a healthy lifestyle, you can reverse the effect of a high
genetic diabetes risk," Huvinen says, offering encouragement.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Helsinki. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Emilia Huvinen, Jari Lahti, Miira M. Klemetti, Paula H. Bergman,
Katri
Ra"ikko"nen, Marju Orho-Melander, Hannele Laivuori, Saila
B. Koivusalo.

Genetic risk of type 2 diabetes modifies the effects of a lifestyle
intervention aimed at the prevention of gestational and postpartum
diabetes. Diabetologia, 2022; DOI: 10.1007/s00125-022-05712-7 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220504110443.htm

--- up 9 weeks, 2 days, 10 hours, 51 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)