"We found a 26% increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes if your spouse also has type 2 diabetes," says senior author of the study, Dr. Kaberi DasguptaYes of course, it's always the behavioral factors...
Dr. Dasgupta's team, located at the Division of Clinical Epidemiology of the MUHC, wanted to see if diabetes in one partner could lead to diabetes in the other partner because many of the risk behaviours that lead to diabetes, such as poor eating habits and low physical activity, could be shared within a household.
Most of the studies used in the meta analysis relied on health records which may not always accurately record diabetes. Those that used direct blood testing suggested that diabetes risk doubles if your partner has diabetes. A strong correlation with pre-diabetes risk was also found.Well, if you were thinking critically you would ask that about all illnesses. You know what spouses share besides lifestyles?
"When we look at the health history of patients, we often ask about family history," says Dr. Dasgupta. "Our results suggest spousal history may be another factor we should take in consideration."
Germs. Infections are a known risk factor for T2 diabetes.
