MSGID: 1:317/3 62735351   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    A healthy lifestyle helps to prevent gestational diabetes in those at   
   highest genetic risk    
      
     Date:   
         May 4, 2022   
     Source:   
         University of Helsinki   
     Summary:   
         Researchers have developed a genetic-risk score for identifying   
         individuals who would benefit the most from lifestyle counseling   
         to prevent gestational and postpartum diabetes.   
      
      
      
   FULL STORY   
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   Researchers have developed a genetic-risk score for identifying   
   individuals who would benefit the most from lifestyle counselling to   
   prevent gestational and postpartum diabetes.   
      
      
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   Gestational diabetes is the most common health-related challenge during   
   pregnancy. Today, it is diagnosed in every fifth expectant mother   
   in Finland.   
      
   Gestational diabetes has a significant impact on the health of both the   
   mother and the child, both during pregnancy and after delivery.   
      
   A study conducted at the University of Helsinki investigated the effects   
   of lifestyle intervention on the prevention of gestational diabetes in   
   women at high risk of developing gestational diabetes. In the Finnish   
   Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL), the study subjects   
   received intensified physical exercise and dietary counselling during   
   pregnancy and for the first year following delivery.   
      
   In this study, a polygenic risk score (PRS) describing the genetic risk   
   of diabetes was calculated using gene variants known to increase the risk   
   of type 2 diabetes. The risk score for type 2 diabetes was associated   
   with elevated glucose levels in mid- and late pregnancy as well as one   
   year after delivery.   
      
   "Gestational diabetes as well as prediabetes and diabetes one year   
   after delivery were also more common among those with higher scores,"   
   says Emilia Huvinen, specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology.   
      
   Targeted measures produce better results The study discovered that   
   genetic risk also affected the link between lifestyle counselling and   
   gestational diabetes as well as diabetes.   
      
   "Based on our research, intensified lifestyle interventions benefitted   
   only women at highest genetic risk of developing type 2 diabetes,"   
   Huvinen confirms.   
      
   According to her, the results are significant and even globally unique.   
      
   "Our study offers one possible explanation for the contradictory results   
   of previous studies investigating the prevention of gestational diabetes   
   till now ," Huvinen explains.   
      
   According to the researchers, genetic-risk scoring would make it possible   
   to identify the expectant mothers most at risk as well as to direct   
   resources and the most effective preventive measures specifically at   
   them. This would be of great importance in terms of both limited societal   
   resources and the health of these mothers and their children.   
      
   "At the same time, it's important to realise that, in the case of   
   diabetes, our genetic background does not determine our future. With   
   the help of a healthy lifestyle, you can reverse the effect of a high   
   genetic diabetes risk," Huvinen says, offering encouragement.   
      
      
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   Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Helsinki. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Emilia Huvinen, Jari Lahti, Miira M. Klemetti, Paula H. Bergman,   
      Katri   
         Ra"ikko"nen, Marju Orho-Melander, Hannele Laivuori, Saila   
         B. Koivusalo.   
      
         Genetic risk of type 2 diabetes modifies the effects of a lifestyle   
         intervention aimed at the prevention of gestational and postpartum   
         diabetes. Diabetologia, 2022; DOI: 10.1007/s00125-022-05712-7   
   ==========================================================================   
      
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220504110443.htm   
      
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