Simple blood test could detect type 2 diabetes years before diagnosis

Researchers found 235 blood metabolites linked with future type 2 diabetes in a 26‑year study and developed a metabolic risk score that may predict risk earlier than current measures.

Researchers report a decades-long study that identified blood markers linked with future type 2 diabetes and that could support earlier detection. Scientists analysed samples from 23,634 people who were initially free of diabetes, drawing on ten studies with a 26-year follow-up. The team measured hundreds of circulating metabolites and combined genomic and lifestyle data to separate likely genetic influences from environmental effects. Key findings: - The analysis examined 469 circulating metabolites and found 235 associated with later type 2 diabetes, including 67 newly identified in this work. - The pooled sample included 23,634 initially diabetes-free participants followed for 26 years, during which about 4,000 developed type 2 diabetes. - Genetic analyses linked many metabolites to biological pathways such as insulin resistance, fat distribution, liver function and inflammation. - Researchers reported that lifestyle factors including body fat, physical activity and diet were associated with shifts in these metabolites, and that some metabolites linked to coffee and tea intake showed protective associations. - The team developed a metabolic risk score and published the results in Nature, but they noted the observational design cannot prove these changes cause diabetes. Summary: The study suggests a metabolic signature might identify higher diabetes risk years before current diagnostic tests detect high blood sugar. Undetermined at this time.