Could a Simple Blood Test Help Predict Diabetes?

Statistics show that many suffering from diabetes may be unaware of the chronic condition, according to the American Diabetes Association. However, researchers from Tel Aviv University's Sackler faculty of medicine have found a simple blood test that could help detect an individual's risk of developing type-2 diabetes before it actually develops.

Researchers preformed 'A1c' test to diagnose both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in order to better gauge levels of hemoglobin levels found in the blood of participants. The A1C test is used to look for levels of glycated hemoglobin (A1c) in the blood. Researchers believe that this new test can be used at a much earlier stage to screen for the disease population that appears in many higher risk patients-such as those who are obese or overweight.  

"To evaluate the A1c test's ability to screen for diabetes in high-risk patients, the researchers analyzed the medical history of 10,201 patients who were given the test in central Israel between 2002 and 2005," the university explained, via RedOrbit. "They found that overall, 22.5 percent of the patients developed diabetes within five to eight years."

The study also showed a 0.5 percent increase in the glycated haemoglobin (A1c) levels built up in the blood by 7 percent doubled the patient's risk of developing the disease. This was especially true for patients who were dangerously overweight or obese, according to the study authors.

"The study provides compelling new evidence that the A1c test can accurately gauge risk at an earlier stage than is currently recognised," said Nataly Lerner of Tel Aviv University, via HealthNewsline.net. 

Lerner and team hope the test can help doctors provide earlier diagnosis and treatment.

"We were actually able to quantify how risk increases with A1c levels. This could allow doctors to make more informed decisions regarding diabetes prevention," Lerner added, via the news organization. 

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the European Journal of General Practice.