PhD ceremony Mr. A. Abbasi: Biomarkers and prediction models for type 2 diabetes and diabetes related outcomes

PhD ceremony: Mr. A. Abbasi, 14.30 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: Biomarkers and prediction models for type 2 diabetes and diabetes related outcomes

Promotor(s): prof. R.P. Stolk, prof. G.J. Navis

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its micro and macro vascular complications cause an increasing global health burden. An ageing population, obesity, and inactivity, contribute to this. Valid risk scores contribute to early identification of high-risk individuals. This is essential for (cost-)effective allocation of targeted prevention strategies. A valid risk score can also help to inform patients about future risks associated with their illness, and can guide doctors and patients in decisions on further treatment.

Many risk scores for prediction of T2D and its complications are available. The first part of this thesis is aimed at the validation of existing risk scores for T2D. The second part focuses on risk factors and added predictive value of novel biomarkers for T2D and its complications. For further insight in the development of T2D, we investigated the role of family history of diabetes and HDL-cholesterol. This thesis shows that current risk scores for future T2D are valid to identify high-risk individuals for a time frame of 5 to 10 years. We explored associations of novel biomarkers, such as procalcitonin (inflammation), copeptin (stress system), peroxiredoxin 4 (oxidative stress) with risk of diabetes, obesity, kidney dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. It appeared that addition of the novel biomarkers to existing risk scores (KORA, DESIR, FRS) can at largest lead to modest improvements in prediction of T2D and cardiovascular disease. Future studies are warranted to estimate risk of T2D and its complications over the lifetime, and improve prediction of complications.