Determining the Association in Diabetics Between
Family Members with Diabetes and their Offspring

Adefolaju Olufuwa

Advisor/Preceptor: Tilahun Adera, Ph.D.

Objective- To evaluate the magnitude and significance of association among diabetics and their offspring by socio-demographic characteristics in an adult population aged > 17.

Research Design And Methods- a national data set of 20050 participants from NHANES III was analyzed. The data set was a representative of the US population and collected between 1988 and 1994 across 81 counties. Logistic regression model was utilized to compute the odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval for each variable in the study. Using SPSS software package and EPI info 6 and 2000 performed all statistical analysis.

Results- The study displayed that approximately 8% were diabetics, 13% had diabetic mothers and 8.2% had diabetic fathers. 46.9% were male while 53.1% females. 68.5% were white, 28.2% black, and 3.2% from other races. In reviewing results for logistic regression and after adjusting for all variables in the model, those who are >70 year olds were 3.92 times more likely to be diabetics compared to all other age categories (95% CI =2.25,6.84). The adjusted model illustrates significant association between diabetic status of the father and development of diabetes in the offspring (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.30, 3.06).

Conclusions- We found a significant association between family members with diabetes and their offspring and noted a higher proportion occurring through paternal transmission. The risk of diabetes increased significantly with age advancement and among those who reported poor health status. There is a need for more research to further understand the etiology and risk factors of diabetes.