It is well established fact that obesity and family history are some risk factor for Type II Diabetes. However in a new study, researchers from France have been exploring the possibility of a person’s blood type as a risk factor for developing Type II Diabetes.
A research team led by Dr. Guy Fagherazzi of the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health at the Gustave Roussy Institute in France has found that people with AB type of blood group are at a higher risk of suffering from Type II Diabetes. A number of other studies, although small have also reported similar findings. This encouraged the team to investigate and find out if there is a link between blood types and diabetes in a much bigger group.
The research team led by Dr. Guy Fagherazzi and his associates evaluated data from 82,104 women. These women were a cohort of almost 100,000 female teachers which began in 1990.
The research team analyzed the health questionnaires the women completed. The team identifies 3,553 women who received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes between 1990 and 2008. Blood samples of these women were taken between 1995 and 1997.
The results of the study have been published in the journal Diabetologia. The study revealed that women with blood group A were 10% more likely to develop Type II diabetes as compared to women with O blood group. Women with blood type B were 21% more likely to develop the condition. The study further revealed that Women with blood type AB were 17% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with blood group O, but the researchers say this result was “not statistically significant.”
The study revealed that Rh factor was not a significant factor in developing Type II Diabetes. Next the team analyzed the risk of Type II Diabetes with the blood type and Rhesus factor. Every possible combination was compared with blood group O negative. The study revealed that women with B+ blood group were 35% more likely to develop Type II Diabetes in comparison with women with blood group O-.Women with AB+ were at 26% higher risk of developing Type II Diabetes. Women with , A- were at 22% higher risk and blood group A+ were at 17% increased risk of developing Type II diabetes.
Findings for blood groups O-, B- and AB- were not statistically significant.
Commenting on their results, Dr. Fagherazzi said, “Our findings support a strong relationship between blood group and diabetes risk, with participants with the O blood type having a lower risk of developing type II diabetes. Therefore, the effects of blood groups should be investigated in future clinical and epidemiological studies on diabetes. Further patho-physiological research is also needed to determine why the individuals with blood type O have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.”
