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Type 2 diabetes
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Who is at risk of type 2 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information Who is at risk of type 2 diabetes?

People who are most at risk of diabetes are those with a combination of risk factors — that is, people with higher than normal glucose levels, aged 40 years and older, who have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure, and known cardiovascular disease or a past history of gestational diabetes.

Other people at risk include:

  • Aboriginal people, Torres Strait Islanders, Pacific Islanders, people from the Indian subcontinent, and people of Chinese origin aged 35 years or older
  • people aged 40 years and older
  • people who are obese (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or more)
  • people with high blood pressure (hypertension) and known heart and circulation problems (cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, angina, stroke or peripheral vascular disease)
  • people with a close relative (mother, father, sister or brother) who has diabetes
  • women with a history of gestational diabetes
  • women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are obese.

Anyone aged 40 years or older will usually be screened for type 2 diabetes by their doctor every 3 years. This is to identify anyone who may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or who might develop it in the next 5 years.

Your health professional may use the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK) to assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This tool is a short list of 10 questions that can be completed with the assistance of a health professional or practice nurse, or by anyone with access to the internet.

Reference

Diabetes Australia; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Diabetes management in general practice: Guidelines for type 2 diabetes. 17th edn, 2011/2012. www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/en/For-Health-Professionals/Diabetes-National-Guidelines/#National-Evidence-Based-Guidelines-for-the-Management-of-Type-2-Diabetes

Date published: 2011-11-14 00:00:00

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