Research

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Polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from South Asian-specific genetic data provide significantly better prediction of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) risk than PRS derived from European data, identifying individuals with ~4-fold higher risk in the top quartile.

If you are of South Asian descent, standard genetic risk models based on European data may underestimate your specific risk for Type 2 Diabetes. To get an accurate assessment, seek out or advocate for polygenic risk scores (PRS) that are specifically calibrated using South Asian genetic data. This can identify if you are in the top quartile of genetic risk, which correlates with a 4-fold higher likelihood of developing T2D compared to the bottom quartile. Knowing this allows for earlier, more aggressive lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, regular screening) to mitigate that risk.

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We found that the SA-PRS model, which is based on population-specific South Asian summary statistics, shows better predictive power for T2D than a risk score based on European summary statistics... The SA-PRS identified the top quartile of our validation population as having 4.03 (95% CI:3.36–4.85; P < 4.5 × 10−50) higher risk for T2D relative to the bottom quartile.
Marie Loh et al. · Communications Biology · 2022

Why this rating

Large-scale meta-analysis (N > 50,000 South Asians) with independent validation cohorts and rigorous statistical testing (AUC comparisons, P-values).

Source

Identification of genetic effects underlying type 2 diabetes in South Asian and European populations

Marie Loh et al. · Communications Biology · 2022

Meta-analysis · 16 studiesCited 62×
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